Working from sunny climes while earning a six-figure salary may feel like a dream, but start a career as a digital nomad and it could become reality
We’ve all seen them in our Instagram feeds: slim, pretty women in floaty white dresses with long, flowing hair beneath wide-brimmed sun hats. They’re invariably somewhere stunning: on the bright white steps of Santorini or perched on a picturesque rock over a glittering sea. They inspire envy – maybe even disdain – because they make us feel like we’re lacking something: freedom, excitement, glamour.
But not all of us can be influencers. Some of us lack the basic ingredients: the ‘right’ body shape, a stylish wardrobe, skills with Photoshop and photography. Some of us have no interest in doing so. After all, taking a hundred pictures in the very same pose can suck the joy out of travel. That doesn’t mean, however, that the travel lifestyle is out of reach.
There is a vast number of people working remotely in far-flung places and making a good living. These ‘digital nomads’ as they have come to be known have solid skill sets that are highly attractive to employers. Among them are developers, designers, writers and translators. Their work spans different industries, but it’s no secret that tech is the most lucrative.
In the US, a junior developer can expect $90k per year and a full-stack developer, $120k – and that’s before progression. We’ve seen a bartender move into fintech and a hair stylist join a hotshot startup via routes that were previously closed to them. The heartening thing is that these successes are proven and replicable. They demonstrate that with dedication and the right mindset, you too can start a career as a digital nomad. Here’s how to begin.
1. Ask ‘do I have the skills and will?’
If you want to start a career as a digital nomad in tech, you will need not just technical skills but a host of soft skills too – especially when working remotely. These include:
- Self-discipline: As a digital nomad, you will not have a manager looking over your shoulder, so you have to be motivated to meet your own goals and deadlines
- Communication: Far from the archetype of the lone genius-jerk, you have to be able to communicate, whether that’s distilling complex ideas for non-technical team-mates or keeping your department up to date
- Problem solving: A can-do attitude towards thorny issues will help in any technical role
- Adaptability: Technology is always changing and you will have to change with it
You also need to consider if you have the will to succeed. Technology is constantly changing and most developers must be comfortable with learning new languages, platforms and systems. If you enjoy learning and challenging yourself, then you’ll be in good stead.
2. Sign up for a free coding course
There are numerous boot camps, programs and nanodegrees that will equip you with the skills you need to start a career as a digital nomad. Most require considerable upfront investment, so how can you be sure that tech is right for you?
Our advice is to sign up for a free coding course. This will give you a chance to test the waters. Do you enjoy solving these problems? Do you have a knack for it? Can you see yourself working with these technologies for years to come (as well as learning new ones)?
The free 7-day coding demo course from coding academy GoIT is a good option. GoIT has over eight years of active training experience and has put 27,000 people worldwide through its coding demo course.
No experience is necessary. All you need is stable wifi, a smartphone, a computer and Telegram (the messaging app). The course will teach you the basics of HTML and CSS, which are the building blocks of websites. You will have daily support from experienced mentors, work alongside your coding fellows and receive individual feedback. The curriculum is beginner-friendly and will help you decide if a career in tech is right for you.
3. Sign up for a full-stack developer course
If you enjoy the free coding course, consider signing up to GoIT’s 10-month full stack web developer course, which can be completed alongside a full-time job. Nearly 9,000 graduates have completed the course with an average employment rate of 83%.
The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to help you start a career as a digital nomad in less than a year. The curriculum is split into four parts – HTML and CSS, Javascript, React.js, and Node.js – and is coupled with mentoring and career training to put you in the best position to land a lucrative job.
4. Secure your first role in tech
GoIT is focused on not only getting you through the course but helping you land a lucrative job. In fact, their 10-month full stack web developer course comes with a job guarantee. If you meet the eligibility criteria and successfully complete all your coursework, tests and projects, but don’t get a job within the first six months after graduating, you will get your money back.
GoIT’s advisors will help with preparation and offer coaching as you begin your job search. They will provide you support in crafting an impressive resume, a Linkedin profile and cover letters, and provide direct networking support to help you start your career in tech. After that, there’s only one thing left to do!
5. Decide where you want to live!
Do you want to live in Lisbon? Perhaps you want to code from Canggu on the island of Bali? These two places are currently number one and two in the 100 best cities for digital nomads. Of course, the beauty of starting a career as a digital nomad is that you don’t have to choose. You could try one place and then the other before trying somewhere new.
As well as Portugal and Indonesia, other countries popular with digital nomads include Thailand, Mexico, Spain, Turkey and India. The only real limit is decent wifi, which excludes very few places in the modern era. Before long, it could be you on those steps in Santorini or perched on a rock above a glittering sea. The floaty white dress is optional.
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