Why skilled migrant professionals give up their careers abroad (and how you don't have to)
A practical guide to building a fulfilling career abroad without starting from scratch or settling for less. Designed for professionals in Accounting, IT, Nursing, Teaching, and other highly skilled professions
You trained for years. Earned credentials. Built a solid reputation.
Now you’re ready to explore opportunities abroad—to grow professionally, support your family, and expand your worldview.
But everyone keeps saying the same thing:
“You can’t work in your profession.”
“Just take any job. It’s part of the sacrifice.”
So you start applying randomly. You hear nothing back. Or worse, get rejected.
You begin to doubt: “Am I good enough?”
If you do land a job, the pressure is relentless. You overwork. You undercharge. You hide your qualifications to avoid standing out.
This isn’t your fault.
You’re navigating a system designed to prioritize survival, not thriving.
The hard truths...and a better way
Credentials don’t always transfer.
Language and licensing barriers are real.
Visa sponsorship can block access to roles you’re qualified for.
These are real obstacles, but they are not dead ends.
With the right strategy, clarity, and preparation, you can design your own path abroad. A path where your skills, identity, and ambition remain intact.
Inside Survive and Thrive, you’ll discover how to:
- Clarify your “worth-it” job criteria before saying yes to any offer
- Avoid the most costly mistakes when planning your move abroad
- Show up with courage and clarity during your first 90 days in a new country
- Reclaim your professional identity and build a fulfilling, long-term life abroad
BOOK REVIEWS
What readers say?
Why I wrote this?
In 2019, I was directly hired into an international consulting firm in a country with three official languages (Dutch, French, German). I only spoke English and my mother tongue.
Since then, I’ve coached and spoken with many migrant professionals—from IT, accounting, nursing, and more—who faced the same invisible walls:
“You should feel lucky.”
“Don’t expect to stay in your profession.”
“You’re the exception, not the norm.”
But I don’t want to be the exception. And neither should you.
I wrote this guide to share what I learned, the mistakes, the systems, the strategies, so that others like you can move forward with pride, purpose, and clarity.
Who is this guide for?
This is for you if:
- You're a skilled professional (IT, healthcare, accounting, etc.)
- You're planning to move, or already moved, and want to protect your career identity
- You believe migration should be strategic, not desperate
This is not for you if:
- You’re looking for shortcut pathways with no long-term plan
- You’re relying entirely on agencies without preparing yourself
- You’re content with “any job is fine” thinking
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Yes. The strategies are designed for both pre-move preparation and early adjustment abroad.
No. The guide teaches mindset and strategy you can apply globally, regardless of destination.
No. While it covers regulated careers, it also supports professionals in business, STEM, education, and tech.
Not for now. The guide is only available digitally (PDF version). Although I am working behind the scenes to create a print version. Stay tuned, or join my email list to get first updates!
Ready to build your international career without giving up your identity or profession? Join fellow professionals rewriting their migrant stories.
About the author
Tin Mariano is a Coach, Problem-solver, and Accountant. She began her career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or financial auditor in the Philippines, and gained her first international experience in Singapore. Later, she moved to Belgium as a direct hire Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) at a global consulting firm. She helps migrant professionals to navigate career transitions, embrace purposeful journeys, and find courage to take the roads less travelled. When not writing and working on her entrepreneurial projects, she is solo travelling across Europe.