While corporate jobs provide excellent opportunities for graduates to develop a fulfilling career, they are not for everyone. Not every one of us feels inspired and motivated working 9 to 5 in an office. Having structured workdays may be great for maximising productivity for some, but for those who are more spontaneous, they can feel dull and repetitive.
If you feel that corporate jobs are not your cup of tea, there's good news for you. Thanks to the fast-evolving digital technology, you can now have a successful career without being restricted by time and geographical location. With a laptop, stable internet connection and careful planning, becoming a digital nomad who works from anywhere you want is far from impossible.
Interested in starting a life as a digital nomad after finishing your studies? Read on to discover the pros and cons and how to get started.
What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad works remotely, allowing them to live and travel anywhere. Usually, digital nomads have flexible online jobs. They may also be business owners or freelancers.
Digital nomads spend extended periods away from their home country, changing their working and living locations every few weeks or months. They seek work-life balance, freedom and the opportunity to explore the world while developing their careers.
Pros and cons of becoming a digital nomad
The life of a digital nomad is idyllic, but it also comes with challenges. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros
Being a digital nomad allows you to enjoy location independence, giving you the freedom to work from anywhere while exploring various destinations. You will also have many opportunities to meet new people, especially when you stay in hostels or co-living spaces.
Additionally, you can benefit from exposure to the diverse cultures the world offers, immersing yourself in a range of cuisines, music, people and traditions.
You may find it surprising, but being a digital nomad can save you a lot of money. If you stay in countries and territories with relatively low living costs while maintaining a high income, you will meet your savings goals in no time.
Cons
You won't have a guaranteed, stable income. You have to prepare for the uncertainty around work and pay. The varying visa processes across different countries can also be tricky to navigate. Depending on where you are from, you may experience tax complications.
We must also emphasise that the life of a digital nomad can be lonely. You may miss out on social events back home and in-person interactions with coworkers.
Last but not least, being a digital nomad is hard work. It requires intensive travel planning and logistical management. You will also need to overcome language barriers.
How to become a digital nomad: getting started
If you are ready to face the obstacles caused by constant travelling and working remotely, becoming a digital nomad can provide a financially viable option to realise your dream of travelling the world.
As a fresh graduate, you may need extra planning before beginning your journey as a digital nomad. Let's find out how to get started:
Identify your skill sets
If you've just finished studying, chances are you haven't got an existing job to take abroad. This gives you the perfect opportunity to identify your skill sets and figure out how you want to make a living.
Think about what skills you've already developed through your education, internships and part-time jobs. Then, consider which of your skills are the most in-demand and start working on sharpening these skills. While ensuring your skill sets are desirable, don't forget to align them with what you enjoy doing.
Some of the most in-demand skills digital nomads can offer include web and graphic design, writing, digital marketing, teaching, coding and photography.
Learn new skills
You can also invest in yourself and learn new skills. When you rely on remote opportunities as your only source of income, gaining more skills and experiences that can open you to more career options is only beneficial.
When organising your initial travel arrangements, why not enrol in short online courses or engage in internships aligned with the career path you wish to develop? The more you strengthen your professional profile before you start travelling, the easier it will be for you to secure employment as you move between locations.
Build a portfolio
To embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, having a portfolio is crucial. Use platforms like Squarespace and Wix to build professional websites showcasing your skills and expertise. If you don't have existing work samples, start working on and present your personal projects that reflect the type of work you aspire to undertake for your future clients.
Start freelancing
Before setting off on your first trip, it is crucial to establish a relatively reliable source of income. Setting up as a freelancer is an excellent way to help you ease into the lifestyle of a digital nomad.
Freelancing can help you familiarise yourself with setting your schedules and managing multiple clients and deadlines. It also allows you to develop digital skills and generate extra income before transitioning to the digital nomad life.
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer plenty of opportunities for remote work. For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, starting a business that can operate from anywhere is an option, although it requires time and dedication to build.
Establish your network
Building relationships within your industry is a gradual process that requires proactive engagement, so it is best to start as soon as possible to prepare yourself for your digital nomad adventure.
Reaching out to professionals relevant to your field can facilitate networking opportunities and potential collaborations. Joining professional associations can also provide a valuable networking platform. We also recommend attending webinars and workshops, which offer the dual benefits of networking and skill enhancement.
Don't forget to nurture relationships within your existing network, including friends, family, fellow students and people you met through your previous internships and part-time jobs. Share your career plans with them - you may gain unexpected job opportunities through these connections.
We encourage you to engage with digital nomad communities on social media platforms and online forums. You can find support, advice and even job leads in these spaces.
Minimise possessions and spending
Travelling the world while working from your laptop means you will have to leave most of your belongings behind, so it may be a good idea to minimise your clutter before you begin your journey.
For many digital nomads, adopting minimalism and getting rid of items they no longer need is liberating and even addictive. If you have valuable possessions that you aren't ready to dispose of, you may need to arrange for storage options.
Streamlining finances is of the utmost importance for digital nomads. You may want to consider cutting unnecessary expenses, such as gym memberships and subscription services, to free up resources. You may also want to look into taking a shorter lease several months before you start travelling.
Sort out work visas and tax obligations
In addition to managing your finances, it is essential to address legal considerations as a graduate digital nomad.
The rules around work visas for digital nomads are often unclear. Generally, tourist visas do not explicitly prohibit remote work, but regulations can vary by country.
Fortunately, many countries now offer extended visas tailored for digital nomads, including Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Georgia, Iceland, Germany and Malta. Always remember to verify requirements with local authorities.
Understanding tax responsibilities is another complex aspect of being a digital nomad. Seek professional legal advice to ensure compliance with tax laws in each country where you intend to work.
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