So, you’re about to graduate from college. You’re fresh, you’re full of energy, and now it’s time to find a job and launch your career. If the idea of enduring long trips on a crowded train to a conventional 9-to-5 office job freaks you out, don’t worry. A working device, an Internet connection, and a strong desire to be independent of commutes are all you need.
Key Takeaways
- A digital nomad lifestyle is possible right after college, providing the opportunity to travel and work remotely.
- Choose a career that allows for remote work, such as freelance writing, programming, graphic design, or digital marketing.
- Develop valuable skills in your chosen field to make yourself more marketable to potential clients or employers.
- Network with other digital nomads, both online and offline, to learn from their experiences and build connections.
- Create a strong online presence through a personal website, social media profiles, and professional networking platforms to showcase your skills and attract potential clients.
- Research visa requirements, tax implications, and other legal aspects of working remotely in different countries.
- Plan your finances wisely, considering the cost of living, travel expenses, and potential fluctuations in income.
- Be adaptable and open to change, as the digital nomad lifestyle can present various challenges and opportunities along the way.
With the advancements in technology, a new type of location-independent worker has appeared. They are called digital nomads.
More and more people, especially students like you, are seeking a more flexible and adventurous life. So, how can you become a digital nomad? Let’s find out.
Determine Your Skills
First things first, you should determine what you can do and what you like doing. If you dream of becoming a digital nomad, you can do pretty much anything remotely using a computer and the Internet. You can start working in the area you studied at college. But don’t be afraid to take courses to deepen your expertise or learn something new. It may be graphic design, digital marketing, consulting, software development, and so on.
Sometimes you do not need any specific skills to start working. For example, you could try freelancing to pay someone to write my essay
if you’re good at writing essays. But still, there are plenty of fields you can work in: think well about which one is the best for you
Decide Between Self-Employment and a Full-Time Job
Digital nomads can take both self-employment and full-time jobs. It depends on their personal preferences and life circumstances.
As a self-employed person, you can:
- offer consultations online on your website;
- work via freelance platforms;
- hire a team and develop your business further.
Then again, many companies nowadays offer remote work options. Self-employment is great because you set your schedule and become more flexible. On the other hand, a full-time job is associated with stable income and corporate benefits.
However, self-employment always involves a risk, while a full-time job gives you limited flexibility. The latter almost always comes with strict schedules, less vacation time, and more working hours. Eventually, it is up to you to decide. Consider the pros and cons of both options. Take into account your financial situation and objectives.
Build a Portfolio
After you decide on your field of activity and gain the necessary skills, you need to create a portfolio. A decent portfolio is crucial for a digital nomad as it would become a showcase of your skills and experience.
If you do not have any work to showcase yet, consider creating your own projects. They should reflect your style and the type of services you would like to provide for future clients. Also, volunteering is often a great opportunity to gain experience in the field of your interest.
If you stick with a full-time job for a company, a well-made portfolio increases your odds of being hired or commissioned for projects. Ultimately, having a portfolio is an essential element of personal branding and online presence for you as a digital nomad.
Find Remote Work Opportunities
Probably the simplest method for a recent graduate to sustain a digital nomad lifestyle is to work as a freelancer. You become accustomed to creating your own schedule, managing clients and deadlines, and self-motivation.
Alternatively, you could consider looking for a job in a company and still be fully committed to a digital nomad lifestyle. It does not have to be a big corporation or conglomerate; it may be a small business.
For instance, you can work for essay editing services, do designs for a digital marketing agency, or help manage an eCommerce store. But it depends on the set of skills you have, of course.
There are plenty of online job boards and dedicated websites where companies offer remote work opportunities. But approach the choice of an employer responsibly. It is not only about your salary and working hours. It is also about your personal comfort and working conditions.
Save Money
Embracing the real lifestyle of a digital nomad means traveling a lot. Which in turn means flight expenses and housing costs. You don’t necessarily need to accumulate a large amount of money. But having enough savings to cover your expenses for 3-6 months without a stable income is a good starting point.
It is essential to have a financial cushion. Not only will it cover your daily expenses but also unforeseen circumstances. Whether you face flight delays or unexpected medical bills – you should always be ready for it.
Any digital nomad should also have reliable and fast-functioning equipment to work, which is also quite expensive. No matter where you travel or how busy your work schedule is, you should always have a clear understanding of how much money you need, at least for a while.
Decide on Your Location
Selecting the ideal destination largely depends upon the cost of living. You should choose a destination according to your financial circumstances. Besides the cost of living, consider such factors as:
- Internet stability;
- visa policies;
- infrastructure;
- weather;
- local culture.
But it’s completely fine if you want to start your path as a digital nomad in your home country. The main idea of a digital nomadic lifestyle is that you are free and can choose any location you want.
Get Used to a Minimalist Lifestyle
It is crucial to be some sort of a minimalist when you are constantly on the move. The majority of the places you will stay at will have all the necessary furniture, so you only need a limited amount of belongings with you.
The better you master the skill of packing efficiently and bringing only the essentials, the less stress you will experience while traveling. Also, the more stuff you have, the more expensive it is to move it.
Besides, frequent relocation from one place to another is one of the most effective ways to adopt a minimalist lifestyle. So, this is yet another benefit of becoming a digital nomad.
Be Aware of the Downsides
Though the lifestyle of a digital nomad may seem exciting and fulfilling, you should consider its drawbacks. Keep in mind that it always involves a lack of financial and personal stability, loneliness struggles with maintaining work and private life balance, limited access to basic services like healthcare and even high-speed Internet, lack of career growth opportunities, and so on.
Although many people see the idea of working remotely and traveling the world as something cool and fancy, the reality can be quite different. In fact, after becoming a digital nomad, your current routine changes drastically. You should keep that in mind and be ready for such changes if you still want to embark on the path of being a digital nomad.
On the other hand, this path is perfect for people who are ready to bear responsibility for their actions and create the life they want on their own. So, pat yourself on the back if you’re up for the challenge.
Conclusion
These are just some of the fundamental aspects of becoming a digital nomad. This lifestyle requires a great amount of self-discipline, enthusiasm, and dedication. Becoming a digital nomad straight after graduation may be a tough decision for the above-mentioned reasons. However, the benefits can far outweigh the hard work. Are you ready to embrace them?
