Women On The Move: How To Build A Tech Career From Anywhere In The World

Working in a remote setting has become an attractive option for many women as it provides opportunities for travel and growth and promotes better work-life balance. Recent data indicates that about 90 percent of women are in favor of remote work options, and those working in certain industries, particularly in the tech sector, find this work model to be highly empowering. Apart from not having to deal with inconveniences such as long commutes, they also don’t have to put up with microaggressions from their colleagues. Working in a place that’s far away from all the negativity can be a game changer, especially for women who want to improve their mental health. 

Most people think that one needs to spend hours in an office to have a bright future in tech. But the truth is, with some strategy and the right skills, you can have a successful career in the tech industry, whether you’re working from a tropical beach in Southeast Asia, a village in the Spanish countryside, or the comforts of your couch. Here’s how women can build a tech career from anywhere in the world.

Gear Up for Remote Work

If you’re thinking about living the digital nomad life, you’ll need some essentials to tackle your tasks efficiently. First, if you plan to work a lot outdoors, you’ll need a rugged yet lightweight laptop with a long battery life, sunlight readability features, a powerful CPU or GPU, and numerous connectivity options. If you’re already working for a tech company, ask HR if they can provide you with a laptop, then follow their processes for equipment tracking and returns since they’ll need to keep track of all business assets. 

You’ll also need a waterproof laptop backpack to safeguard your device while you’re on the go, as well as a few tech accessories for a hassle-free remote working experience. These include a pair of noise cancelling headphones, at least two portable power banks, a Bluetooth mouse, a multi-port USB hub, and a mobile hotspot device. Pack chargers and batteries for all devices, and be sure to bring a universal travel adapter to charge your laptop and mobile phone safely.

Develop Tech Skills Suited for Remote Work

There are some tech jobs that can only be done in an office setting, such as cybersecurity or any work that involves sensitive data, high security network administration, and any task that requires using specialized tech equipment. However, some technical skills translate well to remote jobs, so you’ll want to brush up on these skills if you don’t want to be boxed in a traditional 9-to-5 work schedule. You can work as a data analyst or a data engineer while living a digital nomad lifestyle, but you’ll need to strengthen your data skills and learn different programming languages, as well as techniques like aggregating, filtering, and data mining, among others. You’ll find that that the time and effort is all worth it, especially since data skills are highly in-demand today. 

DevOps professionals are also sought after for remote roles, so think about improving your knowledge on cloud platforms and learn how to optimize cloud architecture. Meanwhile, if you’d rather be independent and you prefer to use your skills to build a tech business, think about learning how to design and build websites so you can open a web development startup. You can also study graphic design if you have a passion for visual content, or learn how to be a social media manager if you like the idea of engaging with customers and promoting brands. Whatever role you decide to pursue, be sure to keep learning on your own since technology is constantly evolving. Doing so will add value to your skillset and allow you to get ahead in your career.

Keep Communication Lines Open

If you’re employed by a tech company and you’ve been given the opportunity to work remotely, you probably think that it’s okay not to have regular interactions with your boss or your colleagues. However, if you want to maintain visibility, build trust, and ensure that you remain a valued member of the team, then you’ll need to keep the communication lines often and stay connected to the people that you work with. 

Schedule one-on-one meetings with your manager or supervisor so you can discuss your performance, what you need to improve on, and what type of skills you should learn to further your career. Also, be available for collaborative tasks with your co-workers and stay connected via Zoom video calls or Slack. This allows you to stay productive and engaged, and it also prevents isolation, which is a common problem experienced by remote workers today. 

You don’t have to work in an office to have a career in tech. Consider these tips to build a tech-focused career while working remotely, and see how this work model can benefit your finances, health, and overall wellbeing.