Chapter 1: The First Jump—Why and How to Leave
The Core Motivation: Beyond the Comfort Zone
For many professionals, the decision to work abroad isn’t just about a change of scenery; it’s a strategic move to unlock greater career potential. Take Pilo Massimino, an Argentine professional who, despite his background in Finance and Accounting, felt his career path was limiting in his home country. His primary drive wasn’t dissatisfaction, but a powerful, long-standing desire for professional development and a chance to overcome those local limitations.
If you’re reading this, you likely share that drive. You recognize that staying still means missing out. The leap to an international market is about embracing a global mindset and turning perceived limitations into global opportunities.
The Strategic Advantage: Passport and Network
The single biggest differentiator in your journey will be your immigration status and your professional network.
The Passport Advantage
Pilo’s journey was fundamentally shaped by having an Italian passport, which he describes as the “key to everything” and a “great advantage”. This status eliminated all immigration restrictions, essentially making him a “European” who could “just go and look for a job”.
- Action Item: If you have any familial link or eligibility for a second passport, start the process immediately. Don’t wait until you’re ready to leave; this procedure is often difficult, complex, and time-consuming to obtain, and securing it is your greatest strategic asset.
The Power of Professional Networking
Even with an Italian passport, Pilo’s job didn’t appear by accident. His breakthrough came from a contact he made years before. While working on a project in Argentina, he built a relationship with an international team. Several years later, that same team contacted him with a job offer in France.
Your network is your most valuable asset. The “opportunity” is often a direct communication from someone you impressed, not an application through a public portal.
The Proactive Path: Strategies for Success
If you don’t have the immigration advantage of a second passport, your path must be defined by proactive effort. Pilo’s mantra is: “The one who seeks, finds”. Opportunities do not fall from the sky, so you must actively investigate, study, and create a network.
1. Invest in High-Demand Skills
The best way to increase your global value is to pursue a highly-demanded career. Pilo repeatedly highlights the field of Software Engineering (“ingeniero software”) as being highly requested and having good options to go “everywhere”.
- Focus: Look into careers that have a higher likelihood of visa sponsorship. If a country needs your specific skills, they are more likely to manage the complex paperwork for a work visa (which is generally difficult to obtain).
- Education as Entry: Pilo suggests using education as the first step to get your foot in the door. Studying a language like English or German abroad can allow you to work part-time, cover expenses, and simultaneously build a local professional network. For instance, universities in Germany are free, which offers a powerful comparative advantage.
2. Embrace Unconventional Paths
Not every good opportunity is found on a traditional career path. Be creative about how you can earn money and experience abroad.
| Strategy | Benefit |
| Cruise Ships | These jobs often pay well, allow you to save a significant amount of money (e.g., $25,000 in a year is a number he mentions), and provide experience traveling around Europe/the Caribbean. This saved money can then fund an extended stay (like 90 days as a tourist) to search for work. |
| Local Integration | Focus on local connections through activities, meetups, and local groups. By participating and connecting with locals, you bypass the formal recruitment process and build the relationships that lead to personal referrals and unexpected opportunities. |
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The Mental Game: Preparing for Impact
The move is as much a psychological challenge as a logistical one.
1. Before You Leave: No Second Thoughts
Pilo’s advice is clear: “If you want to take a step forward, you can’t look back”. Once the tickets are booked and the decision is final, you must focus exclusively on the “opportunities that lie ahead”. Nostalgia, family ties, and fear are natural, but they cannot be allowed to derail your momentum. Focus instead on the long-term benefits, such as being able to afford to visit your family twice a year without economic worries.
2. After You Arrive: The Power of Integration
The first few months will be exciting because everything is new. However, to ensure the transition is smooth and prevent a “hard landing,” you must quickly take action to integrate into your new community.
- Participate: Join local groups and professional meetups immediately. This is fundamental, especially if you arrive alone.
- Adapt: Make the local culture your own quickly, because settling in “takes time,” and actively engaging will make the process better.
This commitment to social and professional integration is fundamental for your long-term success and happiness abroad.
Following Pilo’s experiences, Chapter 2 will delve into the experience of securing an academic opportunity, the harsh realities of arriving in a new culture, and the necessity of confronting personal limitations.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Work and Learn Abroad 