What if you could trade your office desk for the beaches of Tenerife, swap your lunchtime break for a swim in the ocean, and work from anywhere in the world? Our graduate Helena Hrubešová is doing just that. Her journey from a lawyer to a digital nomad is beyond inspiring; let’s take a look at how Helena became a successful digital nomad.
Taking the Leap: From Law to Tech
After going through a breakup, Helena left Vancouver, where she lived at the time. She was looking to start new; her dream was always to work remotely so she could keep traveling and exploring different parts of the world. While looking for professions that would allow her to do so, she came across Coding Bootcamp Praha and decided to enroll with the hope that she would be able to get a remote job in the tech sector after graduating. As Helena recalls, the career change she decided to pursue was “hard but worth it. ” Surprisingly, she discovered that some of the skills she developed as a lawyer were incredibly transferable. "Studying law helps you to understand how society works and how business works, especially if you do business law," Helena reflects. This background has given her a unique perspective in her current tech role that she wouldn't have had if she had never gone to law school. Her ability to work under pressure and her analytical thinking have served her well in the tech world. "Coding is art. It's a different style of thinking. But once you understand it, it's like learning a new language," she explains.
"Decide why you want to do the change"
Staying Motivated Through the Bootcamp
Helena believes that it is only after one gets to know themselves that they can truly follow their aspirations without losing focus and motivation. "Don’t do it because everyone else is doing it or for the money. You have to get to know yourself to know what is good for you," she advises anyone looking to make a similar change. For Helena, her biggest motivation was the prospective opportunity of being able to work remotely, which drove her to overcome any challenges she encountered during the bootcamp and successfully finish it. "I learned how the code works, how I can work with it to make a career out of it," she now reflects. But coding knowledge wasn't the only thing Helena gained during the bootcamp: "I made a lot of friends from the bootcamp whom I'm still in touch with. Even if they live in different places around the world, we try to reach out to each other, connect, and meet up when we are in the same country."
"I learned how to work under pressure"
Getting a Remote Job
After successfully completing the bootcamp, Helena secured a remote job as a customer success engineer. This position now allows her to live the life she always dreamed of: working remotely while traveling around the world. Nowadays, Helena spends about six months a year traveling, discovering different cultures, and meeting new people. Her daily routine includes early morning Pilates before work, focused work hours with regular breaks, and sometimes a swim in the ocean during lunchtime.
Staying Disciplined While Working Remotely
However, as Helena points out, the digital nomad lifestyle isn’t for everyone. “I’m pretty good at disciplining myself,” she says, emphasizing that self-discipline is crucial for working remotely. It’s not just about staying productive but also about knowing when to switch off. Without the structure of a traditional office, where work and home are separate, the lines between work and downtime can become blurry. As Helena explains, being "accessible at all times" makes it harder to create boundaries, which is why the ability to disconnect is vital to avoid burnout. “Once again, it comes down to self-discipline. Not only to be good at working but also to be good at switching off and closing your computer.” Helena emphasizes the importance of having an after-work activity that does not include screen time. At the moment, that is horseback riding, which she has recently picked up again. For Helena, "nomad life is freedom"; it's about the flexibility to balance work and leisure in a way that suits her best.
Helena’s Tips for Anyone Who Wants to Do the Same
For those aspiring to secure remote positions in tech, Helena emphasizes the importance of gaining initial experience. "If you are just straight out of bootcamp, maybe stay for a year in the job you can get. And after that, when you have some experience, it might be easier," she advises. Using platforms like LinkedIn and focusing solely on remote job listings were key strategies in her job search. Helena is on a mission to inspire others to do the same: take the leap and change their career. Through her social media presence, Helena aims to help others navigate their career transitions and personal growth.
"Just do one thing and do it right"
Nomadic Lifestyle: A Journey Full of Growth
Reflecting on her travels in 2023, Helena highlights the fulfilling experiences she gained from visiting diverse destinations like the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and the United States. One standout moment was her time at Burning Man 2023, where Helena found herself stuck in the mud. This challenging experience became a lesson in letting go and seeking help when needed. "My friends rallied around me, cheering me on and supporting me through that tough time," she recalls. Enriching experiences like this are a regular part of Helena's life, and we at Coding Bootcamp Praha can't wait to see what exciting adventure she embarks on next.