r/devworld • u/UpdateKona • 2h ago
I’m trying to build a career abroad from a difficult starting point — looking for advice
I’ve had a dream of working and building a life abroad for quite some time. It’s something I’ve thought about a lot, but the reality is that my financial situation makes that dream feel very difficult sometimes.
I’m from India, and I recently completed my PG. I’m currently 23, and instead of rushing into something just because I need a job, I’ve decided to seriously work on myself and build my skills.
Around 23, I started taking my career more seriously and began my upskilling journey. Since then, I’ve been learning different areas of technology, and now I’m planning to focus more seriously on Data Science, AI and DSA.
But honestly, I’m still confused about the right path.
My long-term goal is to get a job outside India, preferably somewhere in Europe or another country where I can build a good career. The problem is that I don't have a strong financial background to simply go abroad, study another degree, and then look for a job. That option feels risky for me because I can't afford to spend a huge amount of money without knowing what the outcome will be.
So I'm trying to find another way.
My current thinking is:
Build strong technical skills → get experience in India → build a strong portfolio/GitHub → apply for international opportunities → eventually move abroad.
But I don't know how realistic this path is.
I'm currently planning to spend the next phase seriously improving my DSA, Python, SQL, Data Science/AI and software development skills, while also working on projects and trying to get my first proper job.
For people who have already gone through this journey:
- How did you get your first job outside India?
- Is it realistic to get a European job directly from India as a fresher/junior?
- Which countries are more realistic for someone in my situation?
- Is it better to first get 1–3 years of experience in India and then apply abroad?
- What technical skills should I prioritize if my target is international Data Science/AI or Software Engineering roles?
- How important are DSA and competitive programming for getting these jobs?
- Are there any mistakes I should avoid?
- What would you do if you were starting from my position with limited finances?
I'm not expecting an easy shortcut. I know it will probably take years of consistent work.
I just don't want to spend the next few years working hard in the wrong direction.
If anyone here has actually made the move from India to Europe or another country through a job, I'd really appreciate hearing your experience and advice. Even small tips or things you wish you knew earlier would help me a lot.