Consider niche skills for an overseas career
It’s not uncommon for many Filipinos to start reevaluating their career paths at this time of the year. The months of December and January are typically prime months for self-reflection—when the rush of the old year slows and the promise of the next invites new possibilities. For those considering a future overseas, the default mindset often leans toward traditional roles. After all, jobs such as nursing continue to dominate the Filipino diaspora’s narrative, upheld by consistently high international demand. Yet, what if we start looking beyond these well-trodden routes? There are niche, highly specialized skills that can pave the way to global opportunities—roles that can be just as fulfilling and, surprisingly, just as in-demand.
At first glance, you might be skeptical. When browsing emerging job lists for the Philippines, one might notice it’s populated by roles that don’t immediately translate into clear pathways abroad. But having navigated this landscape myself, I can say with confidence: there’s more than one way to achieve an international career, and it doesn’t always look like the obvious nursing or engineering trajectory.
I graduated with a marketing degree in the Philippines, a credential that, on paper, positions me for traditional marketing or sales roles. Indeed, I’ve explored the common routes—starting in sales and business development, evolving into marketing, and eventually pivoting to public relations (PR). But within that PR world, I took a step further and decided to specialize in enterprise technology communications. This is not the kind of skill considered “exportable.” Marketing and PR are often seen as local or regional specializations, heavily dependent on language, cultural context, and market familiarity. The idea of building a PR career that can find traction internationally, especially in the complex and jargon-laden sector of enterprise technology, might seem far-fetched to many.
Yet here I am, having worked in public relations roles across three countries—starting out in Manila, moving on to Singapore, and now establishing myself in Australia. A simple search on LinkedIn lists 48,000 people in the Philippines who have public relations skills/experience compared to the over 950,000 registered nurses recorded by the Philippines’ Professional Regulation Commission. Nursing has long been a reliable and readily understood overseas path: the demand is consistently high, the role well-defined, and the qualifications are standardized across borders. However, what does it mean for someone looking to pursue less conventional talents—talents that don’t immediately translate into the global market without a little creativity and specialization?
Public relations, particularly in the enterprise tech space, is one such example of a niche that can flourish abroad. It’s not easy. It’s a role that can be challenging to explain even among peers, and the heavy sprinkling of technical jargon can be daunting, especially if you, like me, don’t have a formal IT background. But this exact complexity can work to your advantage. As technology continues to reshape industries worldwide, the need for professionals who can communicate intricate IT concepts to nontechnical audiences grows. Companies increasingly need people who can translate the language of technology into stories that resonate with executives, customers, and stakeholders across different cultural and market landscapes.
In Australia, for instance, the demand for skilled public relations professionals—including those adept at navigating the tech sector—has been recognized by certain state and territory occupation lists. Notably, PR specialists have recently been included in the country’s Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). This is no small development: inclusion in the CSOL opens pathways to permanent residency, a tangible sign that the Australian government sees value in the skill set I—and those like me—bring to the table.
This underscores a broader point: the world of work is evolving, and the global job market is more complex and interconnected than ever. While nursing, engineering, and teaching remain practical and esteemed pathways abroad, there is room for lesser-known professions—those that fill niche gaps in the global economy. By honing specialized skills, staying updated with industry trends, and demonstrating adaptability, you can create an international career path that fits your unique strengths and interests.
So, as you contemplate your career moves, don’t shy away from exploring those less conventional routes. Evaluate your skills, identify what you’re passionate about, and ask yourself how you might position those passions in a global context. The overseas door doesn’t just open for traditional roles. Sometimes it swings wide for those who choose a more specialized key—one that, while niche, may just offer the international opportunity you’ve been looking for.
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Neil Mirano is an Australia-based director and partner at Singapore-headquartered communications consultancy, RICE. He is also a committee member of PRCA APAC Technology Group championing public relations professionals specializing in technology.
