No Jobs I am Moving Overseas! I recently read an article called “No Jobs in the U.S. I’m Moving!” on money.cnn.com that describes the opportunities overseas. Moving to where? Anywhere I can find a good job! The job market in the U.S. is pretty bad and the prospects are not too good in the near future. Where are you going?
Conditions
The economy in the U.S. is sluggish at best, many people are looking elsewhere. Two new grads are starting a business in China. Why not? There are a lot of people going to China on vacation. They are starting an adventure tourism company specializing in sightseeing runs, culinary foodie tours and cultural excursions in China. Their target audience is young people who want a different kind of experience. Best of all they do not worry about the economy any more.
6 examples
- A general manager of a wireless phone store wanted a change of career. She started volunteering and realized she enjoyed training teen entrepreneurs. Circumstances lead her to Chile and a nationally funded program in entrepreneurship in Chilean schools. Today she is in charge of a social innovation start up launched in rural areas and the slums of Chile. She is also building a social motivation lab for young Latin American change makers with the support of the U.S> and Chilean public and private sectors.
- A travel editor from Portland moves to Vietnam to save money! With online writing assignments paying very little, he decided to reduce his expenses by moving overseas. The assignments do not pay much, so he adds to his income by building websites. Freelance writing and building websites is a good start. Most of the time he travels in Southeast Asia where living expenses is very cheap.
- Panama here I come! Latin America is the fastest growing economy in the world. Buying a small boutique hotel was the route to a business which may be just the right kind of business for a growing economy. Is this dropping out of the mainstream? Perhaps! Running a business overseas may be just the answer to a stagnant economy in the U.S. Latin America is the new destination for retirees and other ex patriots.
- Next we find an American in Paris! She was a humanities and literature student in graduate school who did not know what to do as a career. She joins a start up Public Relations firm in an entry level position. Took the opportunity to learn the business and moved up into management as the company grew. She had no experience, learned the PR business and gets to live in Paris. A lot of people would love that!
- Lose your job on Wall Street! What should you do? Move to Buenos Aires and join a start up, of course! He becomes head of marketing of rental company of high end villas and apartments throughout Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Uruguay. Living in a foreign country can be expensive and difficult if you do not know the language. Argentina is one of the more reasonable South American cities in terms of expenses.
- A teacher job is hard to find! Education budgets are slashed in every state in the union. What is a new grad to do? She goes to Kuwait, of course. Teaching positions overseas is in demand. We have the best universities in the world and our graduates are in demand, why not go overseas. She will teach 10th and 11th grade literature in Kuwait. Let the adventure begin. When you are overseas, you can travel around and see more of the world. That combined with experience will enhance your career.
Final thoughts
Whether you are a new graduate or you have a few years under your belt, career decisions come up and creative solutions in a bad economy may be the answer. Everyone comes to that fork in the road when you ask yourself, “What is your Next Step?”. You could move in with Mom and Dad and sponge off them or take that leap of faith and do something different! Which do you think looks better on your resume? In the long run, the experience of an overseas assignment can only enhance your experience, if you plan on returning to the U.S. What would you do, if you face this bad job market and no prospects? I know what I would do! No Jobs I am Moving Overseas!
Photo by: Melloveschalah
If you are adventurous and willing, opportunities are everywhere!
Very true! Overseas has an allure, perhaps even exotic feel and it provides an opportunity that is missing here.
I agree, I would move anywhere a job can be had if I had to.
Moving overseas may require much more deliberation than moving from one state to another. If it were early in my career, I would consider it especially if I were single.
The knowledge economy enables this type of movement. I think education and being able to take your skills with you is vital today.
I would love to move to Brazil. In fact, it is my plan to build up my internet empire then do just that….at least for a few years once the kids get into college. I have 9 years to get my internet empire together. Think that is enough time.
If I were young I would. I’d try to learn all I could about the prospective country first. It’s sad that so many young people can’t find jobs in the US. I’d hate to lose a generation to overseas jobs.
Age and children stop me from even considering it. My frugality says yes, but my relationship with my children says no.
If I were single I’d consider this. I’d be able to live off my blog earnings if I were in a low-cost country.
I totally agree, it could actually be fun, although I would have to learn a new language.
Wow, this reminds me of the many possibilities open to me. I like the idea of living overseas for a few years, especially if I had a decent job. Great post.
It could actually enhance your resume, but there are risks involved. Many countries are not as generous to foreigners.
It is the ultimate freedom of choice! It would not be my choice unless I was single, but it is a choice.
That is certainly enough time, although I want to do it in less than 6 years. I will not move though.
There are many retirees that move to Latin America and Asia for the lower cost of living.
I’ve already done my time overseas. But, If I was laid off with no job prospects after a year, I think I’d go back to my previous employer in the Middle East.
I think these opportunities for overseas jobs are easier when you are young and single. It sounds glamorous, but every country has a different cost of living and peculiarities.
I am too comfortable and busy to do this for career sakes currently. In desperation (i.e., no job for a prolonged time as your post mentioned in the beginning), there would be pressure to make another decision. However, I have so much to do here; I couldn’t imagine changing course like this.
I agree, it is easier if you are early in your career and single. At this point in my life, I am not interested because of family connections.
I love that we have endless options and opportunities to live and work anywhere in the world. The technology that we have today really makes it so easy to work abroad and still keep in touch with friends and family thousands of miles away. -Sydney
Very true! Our skills are very transferable and even sought out. Communication is not only easier, but cheaper or free.
I would consider moving abroad. I have lived and worked in Spain and absolutely love Barcelona. Although, I’m not sure how good the job market is there. Thought provoking.
There are areas of the world that are growing and a low cost of living such as Asia, Latin America and even some parts of South America that are possibilties.
I agree this would be easier if you were younger and had no ties. But if your back is against the wall, are you just going to live off unemployment or do something more productive? Great post!
You’re right, faced with difficult economic times and extended unemployment, you could go overseas and bring your family later.
It shows that the standard of living is much higher in US compared to other countries. It’s a good idea to move to another country especially for those who does not have a job here. It takes less amount of money to live outside of US. Also, you can make a lot teaching English in Asian countries like Japan and Korea. Or better yet, start an English teaching school there and make tons of money.
Interesting thoughts! The environment overseas particularly in Latin America is better for starting businesses. Our young people who graduated college are some of the best educated and have transferable skills which are desired in other countries.
I would go overseas. In fact this is something we have been discussing as doing in the next year or two for a while. If you are willing to go to the middle east, places like Dubai etc, and have a trained skill set you can make a mass amount of money tax free. We have considered doing this to pay off our mortgage and getting ourselves in a good spot financially before we start a family.
One of my friends (teacher) went overseas for two years to teach through the Department of Defense. He made a lot of money because he was subsidized to live there. The only reason he returned was his mom was ill.
The money certainly is tempting! I was born in a tropical country however and could never go back to live in the heat, no matter how much I was making – especially in a Muslim one.
The key attraction is always the career and is it fulfilling or rewarding enough to make up for the rest of it. I always said given a choice of unemployment in paradise (ideal location) or a great, rewarding career in an undesirable location, I opt for the great career. My reasoning is I would rather be happy most of my life and vacation and retire some where else.
What an adventure! But it doesn’t compare to the adventure of watching my grandkids grow…
At this point in my life, I would not want to move overseas. It is too important for me to be here and enjoy my children and maintain that relationship. If i were 22 years old, I might enjoy a few years in Latin America or Asia building a business. If I were forced to go, I would go by myself and return home once a month.
Times certainly have changed! Work is there depending on how adventurous you want to be 🙂 It’s a global economy with opportunities for those who look 🙂 Nice article.
Very true, but some are looking at opportunities overseas.
We plan to move to another country one of these days, but it’s not because of where the jobs are or aren’t. It seems like too much of a lifestyle change to do it just for the possibility of work. Just my opinion, it might be fine for some people.
Many people go to Asia to teach English every year. Many people go to Latin America because of a lower cost of living. Although it may be a transition, it is not as big a change as you may think.