A Resource Guide on Digital Nomadism for Binational Youth: Prepared for ConsulMex Nueva York
The global economy is shifting. As all industries are technology enabled, the average cost of FTEs (full-time employees) can often be beaten by remote and contract employees, teams, and agencies. Statistically, 40% of the United States economy is set to move to free-lance or on-demand jobs by 2025.
With unsure outcomes surrounding United States Immigration Reform and the status of binationals in the United States, it is important to consider these emerging jobs as providing the potential to free one’s livelihood from geography, that any policy changes will not impact their current and future employment, and that with a native cultural understanding of the United States they can command an asset premium wage as remote workers whether in the United States, in México, from various beaches or any location in the world with a relevant internet speed and accessibility. Below, I will be listing steps and resources for our future Digital Nomads to look into re-skilling for the 21st Century Economy and global networks of support for those who choose to live borderless.
- What are the skills in-demand?
The easiest way to learn what is best to learn now or how you can apply current skills in remote roles is to look at job boards currently hiring. A quick Google search of “Remote Jobs” will produce a number of job boards. Everything from Programming to Marketing, from Sales to Design, to Photography, Writing, and Legal Work. Here are several examples:
https://remoteok.io/
https://www.upwork.com/
https://weworkremotely.com/
https://www.workingnomads.co/jobs
http://www.digitalnomadjobs.com/
https://angel.co
https://www.freelancer.com/ - Engage in Skills-Based Learning:
If you find that the roles that pay the salaries you would prefer require different skillsets, as they pertain to the digital world you can learn most of these online, within a few weeks to a few months, and for low to no-cost thanks to the rise of MOOC courses. Here are some sites that offer skills-based courses at Low to No Cost:
https://www.lynda.com/
https://www.udacity.com/
https://www.coursera.org/
If you are looking for more comprehensive learning, digital bootcamps are a great option and cost less than most university degrees with in-person instruction, blended learning, and online classes. Not all programs are created equal and it is important to shop around (and also the average wage speaks to the network of the school more than the field overall).
https://www.coursereport.com/coding-bootcamp-ultimate-guide — is a great, comprehensive site of about 350 active, global bootcamps - Build a Portfolio:
On-Demand and Freelance (“Gig Economy”) sites are great for fast cash, but can also be used to lay a foundation of experience and lead to higher paying, direct hire remote jobs. Building a quick website (via Wix, Squarespace, or similar) showcasing these projects as client work is an excellent way to continue to build your remote brand). - Plan and Iterate:
Once you have learned how to engage with opportunities that are right for you and built a strong skillset, moved on to a remote hire and are ready to start thinking about traveling and working simultaneously — there are many great resources to support Digital Nomads and always changing remote communities converging around co-working/live-work spaces, planned programs and more. Another quick list of resources (by no means exhaustive, please Google more):
https://nomadlist.com/ — One of the best online resources, this site shares cost of living, safety, ease of travel/access, and internet speeds. Whether you are thinking of visiting or moving (temporarily or otherwise), this is a necessary first stop.
https://remoteyear.com/ — A year-long program that takes you two twelve cities in one year. The group remains fairly static and allows you to build relationships that go deeper while traveling and working. They plan the itinerary and connect with co-working, co-living, etc.
http://www.nomadstack.com/ — A comprehensive guide for housing, jobs, skills-based learning, productivity tools.
Freedom from geography allows you to be an asset in any market, move freely, and live limitlessly. You can have the stability of a full time remote job or the freedom of a freelancer, entrepreneurial capacity of an agency or startup owner or remote staff for a large corporation.
