FIU alumna Jen Ruiz ’09 did not set out to build a career around travel. A lawyer by training, Ruiz began reshaping her path after setting a personal goal in 2017 to take 12 trips in 12 months, a challenge that ultimately opened the door to a new life as a travel writer, blogger, author, and entrepreneur.
Today, Ruiz’s career extends far beyond travel blogging. She works as a full-time travel expert, collaborating with media outlets, tourism boards, and social media platforms, while creating content for audiences around the world. Her ongoing professional development has led to work as a destination editor and contributor to travel guidebooks, further strengthening her credibility across the travel industry.
For Ruiz, the work is about more than sharing destinations. It is about helping others see travel as a path to confidence, reflection and self-discovery, especially for women navigating the world on their own terms.
“Traveling is such a great way of grounding yourself, finding yourself again and really pouring back into yourself,” Ruiz said.
In addition to managing her own platforms, Ruiz now mentors aspiring travel writers and bloggers through Jet Set Writer. Through her platform, she teaches aspiring creators how to pitch editors, monetize their writing, and build sustainable careers.