Seeking Feedback on Career Transition: From Firefighter to Remote Work/Digital Nomad

[DragonDF]

Seeking Feedback on Career Transition: From Firefighter to Remote Work and Digital Nomad Life

Hello everyone!

Today is my birthday! ?

First, I’d like to thank God for another year of life on this earthly journey, filled with health, skills, and responsibilities. I couldn’t let this day pass without stopping by here!

I also want to express my gratitude for the goodwill of everyone in this forum. I’ve spent time reading several posts and, especially, the Wiki page (https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Degree_Forum_Wiki).
It’s clear that a lot of effort and collaboration went into its development.

The purpose of this post is to seek feedback from people with diverse experiences and perspectives, particularly those living in other countries, regarding my current situation and plans for the future. 
My ultimate goal is to transition into remote work, ideally in the IT field, although I also have experience in various other areas.


About Me
I am a military firefighter in my country, and I’ll soon be retiring.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Fire and Panic Engineering (yes, I’ve taken Calculus I-IV, Differential Equations, Numerical Methods, Physics I-IV, Thermodynamics, and many other engineering courses).
  
• Bachelor’s in Law and have passed the bar exam in my country, though I can’t practice due to incompatibility with my current job.
  
• Currently finishing two more degrees: Business Administration (next 12 months) and Accounting (next 4 months).
  
• Seven postgraduate diplomas, including Systems Analysis and Development (focused on Java and object-oriented programming), Exercise Physiology, Sports Nutrition, Administration, Tax Law, and Corporate Law.
  
• Professional Experience:
  • Former university lecturer (Catholic University) in IT for two years.
    
  • Former instructor for preparatory courses for public service exams, a well-paying role in my country.
    
  • Experience as a systems analysis chief and extensive work in public and private administration.
    

Academic Perspective
I’ve always viewed a master’s degree as a pathway to teaching, not as a means of increasing income in a corporate environment. However, I’ve noticed from posts here that, in American culture, a master’s degree often correlates with higher salaries. At the time, it would’ve increased my pay by less than $1 per hour.


Ph.D. in Law
To give you an idea, I was recently invited to pursue a Ph.D. in Law at a university in my city, free of charge, with a 4-year in-person program. I’m no longer interested in in-person courses, especially not a 4-year program. Mainly because it wouldn’t put more money in my pocket—just an “academic title.”


My Vision for the Future
I’m interested in starting “part-time” remote work for an American or European company to gain experience and adjust to the lifestyle. My ultimate goal is to live as a digital nomad, working while traveling, and adopting the “flag theory” to minimize income taxes. For this reason, I do not have interest to have a GREEN CARD. 


Priority Areas:

1. IT:
   This is where I started, serving as a Systems Analysis manager.I obviously need to update some skills. It’s a field that still pays well, especially for experienced professionals.It allows remote work.I enjoy it because it rewards competence and results. It has meritocracy embedded.I could also obtain some certifications that the market values and that I don’t yet have, especially in AWS, Linux, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity.I don’t have a degree from the U.S., but I believe I could earn one in less than 6 months, as I already have knowledge in many subjects since I taught them.
2. Law:
   In the United States, for example, I could take the bar exam in New York and Florida and start practicing federal law.The problem is that I would need to be in the U.S., and as I mentioned, I’m not interested in staying in any country for more than 3 months a year.I’m unsure if remote work is possible in this field, especially since most cases are digital nowadays. However, if it means being tied to one country, it wouldn’t be worth it.
3. Accounting:
   In the U.S., I would need to pass the CPA exam or another similar certification. The good thing is that I can take it in my country. I would arrive in the U.S. already certified.I’m not sure if remote work is possible, but I believe it is.
4. Administration:
   I have extensive experience in this field, both in public administration (e.g., public procurement) and private administration.I also have a Master’s degree in this area.I know American companies value both experience and diverse backgrounds.
5. Fire Protection Engineering (NFPA):
   A very specific niche, but all buildings and large corporations need professionals concerned with the safety of their greatest asset: the people inside their buildings.I believe I could find opportunities here, but what bothers me the most is the lack of remote options.

The Future:
With these initial considerations, I’d like to ask the group members for your personal opinions on:

1. IT:
   Would it be worth it for me, as an international student studying from my country, to complete an accelerated U.S. degree in 6 months? Maybe Bachelor's in Computer Science? From the perspective of portfolio building and improving how American and European companies perceive my résumé?Or should I try to validate my postgraduate degrees (transcripts) and pursue a Master’s degree?Or would it be better, since I’m targeting the job market and higher salaries, to focus solely on certifications?

I was surprised to learn that American companies pay more because someone has a Master’s degree.

Regarding the other areas, if you could also share your thoughts, I’d be grateful. However, they either don’t allow remote work or pay less than what I could earn in IT.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to respond with your insights!

I wish you all a 2025 filled with health, peace, and great accomplishments.



P.S.: I plan to keep this thread updated over the next 12 months with my decisions to inspire others.

[Avidreader]

Which country are these degrees from? Are they in English or foreign language?
You should first get the foreign degrees evaluated by a NACES or ACEI approved evaluator with GPA equivalent. Wes, Spantran, Scholaro, there are several options. It is cheaper to have them evaluated at the same time. If you do it separately, it will cost 200 USD while they only charge 100 for every additional evaluation in the same bundle.

This could be useful to accelerate any US degrees because some of these foreign courses can fulfill general education or electives. That lets you only focus on the courses needed for your major.

One suggested way to accelerate an IT degree is to start doing the google certificate courses. The IT Support cert would be a useful option.

Do you speak foreign languages? This could be useful to stand apart given the job competition for IT especially work from home jobs is insanely high.

The most likely university on this forum in your case would be to apply to TESU since you do not qualify for WGU. UMPI is apparently starting a Computer Science degree in a few months in case you wish to wait before applying. What is your age and budget?

[davewill]

My first reaction is that rather than gettting another bachelor's you might be better off with some up to date certs. You already have relevant work experience, so I suspect that another degree isn't going to be that helpful. I also think you might have to put in some in-person time before you can readily hire out as a remote IT guy, unless you're willing to start way below your experience level.

[bjcheung77]

Welcome to the board, great information, but it's missing some content within the addendum and template. Without knowing your budget, commitments, study habits, etc. At the time being, my recommend is the usual mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience. +1, I agree with the FCE of previous credits, plus getting the certs, especially if you're entry level in experience, you can then ladder that towards entry into a Masters in Applied Computer Science or similar MSIT that doesn't require an undergrad in that subject area. I recommend searching the graduate forum as I've mentioned a few, you can also look at the MOOC's from Coursera/Edx and so on...

[DragonDF]

...

First of all, I would like to thank the 3 members for their participation.
I will respond to them separately.
Yesterday I was organizing and executing the barbecue to celebrate my birthday and I was left offline.

Which country are these degrees from? Are they in English or foreign language?
You should first get the foreign degrees evaluated by a NACES or ACEI approved evaluator with GPA equivalent. Wes, Spantran, Scholaro, there are several options. It is cheaper to have them evaluated at the same time. If you do it separately, it will cost 200 USD while they only charge 100 for every additional evaluation in the same bundle.

This could be useful to accelerate any US degrees because some of these foreign courses can fulfill general education or electives. That lets you only focus on the courses needed for your major.

I am from Brazil. So, they are not in English. I'll need to pay for translation and after that pay for the evaluation in the USA. $$ (in some cases, it can be cheaper to do it all again in Sophia, Saylor, etc. in ONE month for less than what I will have to pay to evaluate my country's courses - maybe I am wrong)

Opening a parenthesis about the budget is important, especially for people who don't live in third-party countries.

Today: 1 dollar = R$ 6,19, without talking about taxes to convert.
The minimum national salary in Brazil is R$ 1.518,00 (U$ 245)

I think I need to explain it because there is a difference in culture but also in purchasing power just because you are in another country.  

This situation I think can be similar to other 3rd-party countries, so it is important to insert this here because if in the USA you can make nearly U$ 10K / month as an Uber Driver, this is NOT the same condition you will earn in other countries.
U$ 50 - U$ 100 is the amount that some Universities here ask as a monthly fee. So, you will pay U$ 300 - 600 per semester.

When you (all) talk about budgets from people outside the USA, I think it will make it easy to understand that if they earn a national minimum wage, this will mean less than U$ 250, a day of work as an Uber delivery driver. 

--
So, people from third-party countries will try to do all courses in the minimum time and for less money as possible. If it is possible to do without being in the USA, the EAD model, is better, because the housing cost in the USA will be bigger (5 times) than what he receives in his home country. 
I am not talking about me alone, I am explaining because if I were in the USA, maybe I could be earning something near U$ 200K / year. As I did not born there, things were a bit more "difficult" (pros and cons).

---

One suggested way to accelerate an IT degree is to start doing the google certificate courses. The IT Support cert would be a useful option.

Yes, I am already doing it.
I will explain why: I searched for Universities in the USA that accepted international students in the EAD (ONLINE) model. So, I could start the study in my actual country.
The first option I found was: The University of the People. I was really happy with that option. I went to Youtube to watch videos about UoP. I watched at least 50 videos.

I did not know there was a difference between Regional and National Accreditation. For me, a University was a University.

[DragonDF]

[I will wait for any answer here or for an admin to help to post a bigger message to finish the reply]

About Bachelor's in Computer Science at the University of the People I found this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...2114045106

At the bottom of the spreadsheet you can see a few IBM and Google courses you can use to get credits to UoP BCS:

[artem]

I will explain why: I searched for Universities in the USA that accepted international students in the EAD (ONLINE) model. So, I could start the study in my actual country.
The first option I found was: The University of the People. I was really happy with that option. I went to Youtube to watch videos about UoP. I watched at least 50 videos.

I did not know there was a difference between Regional and National Accreditation. For me, a University was a University.

I am also studying at UoP. It is a great university if you want to study yourself.
In 2021 UoP applied for regional accreditation. During last autumn accreditation commission visited the university for the third time. It can become regionally accredited in February. We are all waiting for good news.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Please continue your reply, DragonDF.

[DragonDF]

Image in attachment, too.



* It is not updated. So, take care about the use of this plan.

(I had a LOT of problems with this thread today and the problem could be the Image I was trying to post from COPY and PASTE)

I lost the final paragraphs I had in the morning. 

Let me continue the first reply again:

About the suggestion to Google Certifications:

Finished:
Google - Technical Support Fundamentals
IBM - Introduction to Cyversecurity Tools & Cyber Attacks.
Introduction to Data Analytics

I am doing IBM Business Analyst at this moment.

---

Do you speak foreign languages? This could be useful to stand apart given the job competition for IT especially work from home jobs is insanely high.

The most likely university on this forum in your case would be to apply to TESU since you do not qualify for WGU. UMPI is apparently starting a Computer Science degree in a few months in case you wish to wait before applying. What is your age and budget?

 Yes, I do. I speak Portuguese and English and I am learning Spanish. 


I do not qualify for WGU because it does not accept international students, right?

About UMPI, do you think it is better than TESU or it is because it is cheaper?
I will not apply next 6 months. Next months I will get more credits or try to evaluate my experience (Yes, I have a lot). 

For me, University of the People was my first choice before I read here and watched some YouTube videos talking about National and Regional accreditation. 

It is not fun being a student in a subject you were a teacher. 

But as I am trying to compete in another country, especially the USA and Europe, I will try to use the same options my competitors use. 

I think the TI area has a competency-based model where you earn what you give. I can not believe there is a big difference if you finish you degree at the University of the People or TESU. But I can be wrong. 


Age: 45 (I can run at least 2,400m in 12 minutes and and do more than 20 pull-ups on the bar and 50 push-ups on the floor still -   )
Budget: I am looking for as cheap as possible.

---

My first reaction is that rather than gettting another bachelor's you might be better off with some up to date certs. You already have relevant work experience, so I suspect that another degree isn't going to be that helpful. I also think you might have to put in some in-person time before you can readily hire out as a remote IT guy, unless you're willing to start way below your experience level.

Hello @devewill . I replied your post in a YouTube video yesterday about TESU.
Thank you for you suggestion here.

I'll try to be honest with you: I do not need any degree in my portfolio. As I wrote my first degree was in Engineering so I learned a lot of Calculus I , II, III and some others. I see people here worried about Calculus I. 
I was the head of the Systems Analysis section of an IT department of an organization with more than 6,000 employees.

At this moment my focus is to complete the Google and IBM courses so that I can use credit to the Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I earn to get the Cert and earn to use the credit. 

--
I no longer have any interest in working in-person, to be honest. Just as I have no interest in studying in-person. I'm at an age and level where such things are no longer worth it for me. I can't afford to waste time commuting and dealing with the disadvantages of an in-person job. Especially if I won't be earning in dollars.
To give you an idea, a Junior Programmer in the United States earns double what a Senior does in Brazil. It's not worth wasting my time here. It's better to be a "Junior" for a while in the United States, working remotely and part-time, than a Senior here.
My students are all seniors now.
I continue working as a firefighter. So, I will only have either the morning shift or the night shift to work externally and gradually build up my experience in what the market is asking for.


Happy New Year to you and your family!

[DragonDF]

Welcome to the board, great information, but it's missing some content within the addendum and template.  Without knowing your budget, commitments, study habits, etc.  At the time being, my recommend is the usual mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience.  +1, I agree with the FCE of previous credits, plus getting the certs, especially if you're entry level in experience, you can then ladder that towards entry into a Masters in Applied Computer Science or similar MSIT that doesn't require an undergrad in that subject area.  I recommend searching the graduate forum as I've mentioned a few, you can also look at the MOOC's from Coursera/Edx and so on...

Thank you! I am glad with all the info I could read here. 
I hope you can read what I posted before. 

I plan to get a degree in Computer Science or Data Analytics as a way to show the market I am inside. 

The University of the People allow you to pay less to transfer and allow you to transfer 75% of the course. 
The problem I see is the cost of all credits that are not in Saylor and Sophia. They look like a lot more expensive. 
Sophia I can do all credits in one month. Especially If I study them before (I have already an account there). 
It will be easier for me to do things I already know. 

And I will waste my time with a lot of courses that will not bring me any real value: art history 1 and 2, history of roman and greek civilization, etc. 
 

Happy New Year for you and your Family!

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I will explain why: I searched for Universities in the USA that accepted international students in the EAD (ONLINE) model. So, I could start the study in my actual country.
The first option I found was: The University of the People. I was really happy with that option. I went to Youtube to watch videos about UoP. I watched at least 50 videos.

I did not know there was a difference between Regional and National Accreditation. For me, a University was a University.

I am also studying at UoP. It is a great university if you want to study yourself.
In 2021 UoP applied for regional accreditation. During last autumn accreditation commission visited the university for the third time. It can become regionally accredited in February. We are all waiting for good news.

I read that is a long time UoP is trying it. So, It can take more 10 years. 

I like the cost of it especially if you bring 90 credits from elsewhere. 
For me, it is not cheap, yet. Especially for a 'free university'.


How much do you pay until now? How much will you pay until the final of your degree?

Tks!

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Please continue your reply, DragonDF.

Thank you!
It is working again.