How to get started as a digital nomad? Remote working from the get-go, or trying to go fully remote in an existing job?

Hey all

I've been traveling around a bit on a working holiday / gap-year to get some mind-space after a stressful software engineering job.

I'm looking to start doing some programming/analysis work again, but have no clue where to start.

I have the experience, but I don't know how to find a job that would allow me to work remotely and keep traveling from the start. My experience is quite general (mostly full-stack java programming, but more interested in open-source projects and rust programming), and I'm not very confident to fill in any senior level role.

I suppose another option would be to start in a company on-site first, and then try to ask the option to go fully remote, but I'm not sure all companies are open to that these days.

What are your thoughts?

5 points · 6 comments · view on lemmy.world

6 Comments

Dry_Monk@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 190d (1 reply)

Curious how this has gone for you! I just started my nomad adventure doing part time consulting, and I can say that it's pretty nice once you get things lined up.

NationProtons@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 188d

Still on an (extended) gap year.
I've found that the way i've approached things was not really healthy in the long run.
And I'm not really going to get a programming job anytime soon for the moment.
I still do some projects for myself in my free time, but I'm looking more into something that's not mentally taxing and gives me the time to work on what I enjoy.

ygajbm2sjcxbggbc0zfb@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y (3 replies)

I’ve never done digital nomadism, but I wonder:

What are your financial goals? I wonder if picking up small contracts could sustain your lifestyle. You would generally get to pick your hours and technologies.

NationProtons@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y (2 replies)

small contracts would definitely be good for me. I live quite simple, so usually a few days per week (with decent pay) is enough for me. I'm not sure where to look for such contracts though.

Usually freelancing platforms seem to be a race to the bottom, not really for people who want to do custom coding, but more for people with specific knowledge in wordpress or such who can make a website for cheap.

What places would people typically look for finding such contracts? I don't really have connections in the country I'm in at the moment.

ygajbm2sjcxbggbc0zfb@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y (1 reply)

I have lurked on weworkremotely.com in the past, but I don’t know how successful one can be there.

NationProtons@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y

Thanks, I'll have a look!