10 Valuable Soft Skills that Can Make you Money Abroad
Are you interested in learning some soft skills before moving abroad?

Soft skills are personal attributes and abilities that enable you to interact effectively with others and adapt to changing situations. These skills can be highly valuable and in-demand when working abroad, as they can help you navigate unfamiliar environments and build relationships with people from different cultures. In addition to improving your overall employability, certain soft skills can also provide you with a source of income or form the foundation of a profitable business. From driving and cooking to hair styling and sewing, there are many soft skills that can be highly valuable and in-demand when working abroad. By learning and developing these skills, you may be able to increase your income and improve your financial situation when living abroad. In this article, we will be highlighting on 10 important valuable soft skills you need to learn before moving abroad.
1. DRIVING
Driving is a valuable and important skill to have, as it allows you to have more independence and mobility. Additionally, being able to drive can also open up new job opportunities, particularly when working abroad. For example, obtaining an international driver’s license can allow you to drive in countries that have a different driving system, such as the United States or the United Kingdom. Additionally, having a driver’s license can also make it easier to work for ride-sharing companies like Uber or for food delivery companies like UberEats or Just Eat. These types of jobs can be a flexible and convenient way to earn extra income while also gaining valuable driving experience. Ultimately, learning how to drive can not only be a useful skill to have, but it can also be a valuable asset in a variety of professional settings.
2. COOKING NIGERIANS FOOD
Cooking is a valuable skill to have, as it allows you to nourish and sustain yourself, and it can also be a source of enjoyment and relaxation. In particular, being able to cook traditional Nigerian dishes can be especially valuable when working abroad, as it can help you stay connected to your cultural roots and save you money by allowing you to prepare your own meals at home. Additionally, if you are skilled at cooking Nigerian delicacies, you may be able to turn this skill into a source of income by offering catering services to other Nigerians living abroad or by hosting pop-up dinners or cooking classes. This can be a great way to share your culture and passion for cooking with others, while also earning a handsome fee for your services. Ultimately, being able to cook Nigerian food can not only be a useful skill to have when living abroad, but it can also be a valuable source of income and enjoyment.
3. HAIR STYLING
Hair styling can be a valuable and in-demand skill, particularly for those working abroad. Many people, including Nigerian women, place a high value on having their hair styled and maintained, and they may be willing to pay for high-quality services. If you have the skills and expertise to style hair, particularly in ways that are popular among Nigerian women, such as braiding, locking, and fixing, you may be able to build a successful business or earn extra income on the side by offering your services to others. This can be particularly lucrative on weekends, when people may be more likely to have free time and be willing to invest in grooming and beauty services. Ultimately, being skilled at hair styling can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your talents with others.
Read Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad
4. SEWING
Sewing is a useful and practical skill that can be highly valued when working abroad. If you have the ability to cut, pattern, and sew, particularly with native materials, you may be able to turn this skill into a lucrative business or source of income. By creating high-quality garments, such as dresses or traditional clothing, that are made with native materials, you may be able to appeal to a wide range of customers who are interested in unique and culturally significant clothing. Additionally, if you are able to create garments that are popular and fashionable, you may be able to attract a large number of customers through word-of-mouth recommendations. Ultimately, being skilled at sewing can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your talents with others.
5. BARBING
Barbing, or cutting and styling men’s hair, can be a valuable and in-demand skill, particularly when working abroad. Many salons may not have experience or expertise in cutting and styling the hair of men with African hair textures, and as a result, they may be willing to pay for high-quality barbing services. If you have the ability to give a good fade and cut men’s hair well, you may be able to build a successful business or earn extra income on the side by offering your services to others. This can be particularly lucrative if you are able to attract a large number of customers and charge a competitive rate for your services, such as £15-20 per haircut. Additionally, if you are able to barb yourself, you may be able to save money on haircuts and maintenance, which can be a valuable benefit when living abroad. Overall, being skilled at barbing can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your talents with others.
6. PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is a creative and visually engaging art form that can be highly valued when working abroad. If you have a professional camera and are skilled at taking high-quality photos, you may be able to turn this skill into a lucrative business or source of income. By promoting your services and showcasing your portfolio, you may be able to attract a wide range of clients who are interested in hiring a photographer for various types of events and occasions, such as birthday photoshoots, professional shots, and wedding shoots. Additionally, if you have a particular niche or style that sets your work apart, such as portrait photography or landscape photography, you may be able to differentiate yourself from other photographers and appeal to a specific target market. Overall, being skilled at photography can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your talents and vision with others.
7. WRITING
Writing is a valuable skill that can be in demand in a variety of professional settings, including when working abroad. If you have strong writing skills and the ability to articulate your thoughts and ideas effectively, you may be able to turn this skill into a lucrative business or source of income. There are many different types of writing jobs that you may be able to pursue, such as creating social media content for companies, writing essays or articles for publications, or working on writing projects or proposals for individuals or organizations. Additionally, the ability to write well can be particularly valuable in today’s digital age, as many writing jobs can be done remotely, allowing you to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. This can be a convenient and flexible way to earn income, as you can work from the comfort of your own home or a location of your choice. Ultimately, being skilled at writing can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your talents and ideas with others
8. GRAPHICS DESIGN
Graphic design is a creative field that involves creating visual content for a variety of purposes, such as branding, marketing, and communication. If you have skills in using design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and are able to create visually appealing designs, you may be able to turn this skill into a lucrative business or source of income when working abroad. There are many different types of graphic design jobs that you may be able to pursue, such as creating fliers or brochures for businesses, designing logos or branding materials, or creating content for social media platforms. Additionally, if you have a particular niche or style that sets your work apart, you may be able to differentiate yourself from other graphic designers and appeal to a specific target market. Ultimately, being skilled at graphic design can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your creative talents with others.
9. WEB DESIGN AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Web design and software development are highly technical fields that involve creating and maintaining websites and software applications. If you have the skills and expertise to work in these areas, you may be able to turn this skill into a lucrative business or source of income when working abroad. Even if you don’t have advanced coding skills, you may be able to make money by understanding the basics of web design and creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites. Alternatively, if you are skilled at coding and software development, you may be able to work for tech companies or start your own software development business. This can be a highly in-demand field, as companies and organizations are always looking for talented developers to create and maintain software applications. Additionally, many web design and software development jobs can be done remotely, allowing you to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Ultimately, being skilled in web design and software development can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your technical expertise with others.
10. VIDEOGRAPHY AND VIDEO EDITING
Videography and video editing are creative and technical fields that involve creating and editing video content. If you have the skills and expertise to work in these areas, you may be able to turn this skill into a lucrative business or source of income when working abroad. For example, you may be able to make money on the side by offering your videography and video editing services for events, such as birthdays, weddings, and graduations. Alternatively, if you are skilled at video editing, you may be able to earn income by offering your services to individuals or companies who need good video editors for social media content. This can be a highly in-demand field, as video content is increasingly popular on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Ultimately, being skilled in videography and video editing can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your creative and technical talents with others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many soft skills that can be highly valuable and in-demand when working abroad. From driving and cooking to hair styling and sewing, these skills can provide you with a source of income or even form the foundation of a profitable business. Additionally, skills like writing, graphic design, web design/software development, and videography/video editing can be done remotely, allowing you to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. By learning and developing these skills, you may be able to increase your income and improve your financial situation when living abroad. Ultimately, being skilled in a variety of soft skills can be a valuable asset when working abroad, as it can provide you with a source of income and allow you to share your talents and expertise with others.