On moving abroad
TLDR - I am a mid-20s real estate professional who is contemplating an international opportunity. I spent a year in brokerage, another 1.5 years in corporate development, and one year in acquisitions. I lateraled to a HCOL city for the acquisitions opportunity, and following a positive year end review, I grew frustrated with my salary and had a falling out with senior management. It was a moment of weakness/frustration on my part that was met with a rather severe consequence, and an opportunity for the firm to downsize (the position has not been filled). It has been a year since I have found an opportunity to return to my preferred industry, and I have been traveling and working in various other positions in the interim.
I am seeking advice, as I have received an offer to move abroad and work in the industry I want to build a career in. The position is an investments opportunity with a HNW family office. The opportunity is also a promotion, and the raise is substantial from my prior full-time position (primarily due to the tax implications of the country I am moving to). I am hesitant to relocate abroad for a prolonged period, and I have already built a reputation as a job hopper. I am unemployed and weighing taking the opportunity or holding out for the “right” long-term opportunity in the United States. My challenge is interviewing from a position of being “unemployed” for almost a year. I believe it makes me less competitive, however, if I am unhappy abroad, I worry the short stint will be a crutch as well. I also worry that it will be difficult to recruit and be competitive in the U.S.
As a final note, would this international position, should I stay for 2+ years improve my odds of getting into a top-tier MBA program? Is international experience valued? I attended a top-100 state school in undergrad, and my MBA ambitions are primarily for job security and increased hire ability, as my undergraduate degree was rather niche, and I am growing tired of moving every time I take a new job. I’d like to start building roots somewhere.
What do you recommend I do?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key considerations and advice for your situation:
1. International Experience and Career Growth
2. Addressing the "Job Hopper" Concern
3. Impact on MBA Applications
4. Challenges of Returning to the U.S.
5. Weighing the Risks
6. Final Recommendation
This move could be a pivotal step in your career, offering both professional growth and a compelling story for future opportunities.
Sources: 6 Things to Consider Before Accepting an International Work Assignment, MBA – Invaluable experience or incredibly overrated?, I Need You, WSO + Its Time To Move - Asia Job Search, Q&A: MBB, BB S&T+IB, Top MBA, US/Global
You’re going from unemployed to employed, getting a better role, and going on an adventure that will make you a more interesting person. Maybe stay away from Dubai at the moment, but otherwise I wouldn’t think about it more than a few seconds.
If you miss home, you start recruiting or do grad school and reset.
If you're taking jobs based on whether or not it will get you into business school, real estate probably isn't the right field for you long-term.
That being said, being employed is better than being unemployed, you're young enough that you aren't going to be pigeonholed no matter what you do, and exposure to another culture/way of doing business cannot help but be accretive as long as it doesn't become a ten year stint.
The only downside is that so much of real estate is understanding local regulations, tax codes, politics, etc. If you want to be in the USA long term, you won't pick up any of that knowledge working in Spain (or wherever).
From a life experience perspective, I would have 100% jumped at the opportunity to work abroad in my 20's. If you don't like it, you can just move back. You're young enough that you can just chalk it up to trying different things.
Assuming the country/city is at least somewhat desirable, this would be a no brainer to me.
Do it but be proactive in maintaining your US network.
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