Hello everyone!
If you’re here, you might be curious about my journey into remote work or seeking advice on how to snag a remote role yourself. I’m thrilled to share my experiences working remotely from the past three years—an adventure that’s had challenges but has been incredibly rewarding.
I never imagined that I would work remotely. I originally wanted to be an occupational therapist, so I definitely did not imagine I would be working remotely. After taking the wrong anatomy classes at UNC-Chapel Hill (thanks to my academic advisor), I decided to explore a career path that might offer more flexibility. I ended up getting a degree in global studies, with a focus on health and the environment, and with the hopes of working in public health. A transformative semester abroad (yes, it’s a cliche but true!) ignited my interest in international opportunities. I applied to the NALCAP program to teach English in Spain, which became the first step in my work journey.
I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill right at the beginning of the pandemic and knew I wouldn’t find any great career opportunities in the US right away, so I moved to Spain in September 2020. I LOVED it and ended up staying a second year. Unfortunately, my visa ended, and I was looking for a long-term career opportunity, and ended up moving back to the US and into my parent’s house in North Carolina. Let me preface this with the fact that I love living with my parents, so this was not a problem for me.
While in Spain, I began searching for a full-time position back in the US. It was tough, to say the least. I applied broadly, focusing on higher education, given my experience with students. The first opportunity was a remote position with an online nursing school.
Another hurdle was that I met my partner while living in Spain, and he was able to secure an H1B visa in Massachusetts. Since he secured an H1B visa for Massachusetts, I decided to focus solely on remote roles to maintain flexibility. This remote job allowed me to relocate easily when his visa came through.I started looking for a role with an international focus, so I started looking for study abroad-related positions. After about 300 applications, I finally got a remote role in international education.
Words of Encouragement
Job searching is undeniably hard. It is stressful, tiring, and unfair. This is true for in-person and remote roles. I personally only had luck interviewing for remote roles, and I feel like it would be hard for me to work in person at this point. I love the flexibility that working remotely allows.
If you are looking for a remote role, don’t give up! The job search process is challenging, but it will ultimately pay off. I wish there were some magic words or advice I could give, but the truth is, there isn’t. The process may be grueling, but perseverance pays off. There’s no magic formula, just time, patience, and ongoing learning. Be kind to yourself during the search, and good luck!
I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about my story and how I started remote working! I am excited to grow my career internationally and look forward to what is next in my career path!
