[poisonborz]

As probably guessable, the state of author is in has not much to do with the Cracked Android Phone, but that I assume he tries to find remote positions (already a hard find) in US from an African country (assumption, doesn't write details). For that to happen, you need rockstar credentials. No business can accept the risk of fraud, scams, sanctioned origin country, or a dev disappearing overnight.

I was hiring devs for a number of years in EU, and we never ever looked at education - more specifically, any degree was good, as it was only an indicator that the person can learn. I would never assume practical software engineering knowledge based on a degree.

Anyone in the same situation, what the author did is a perfectly good way - build up knowledge, get mentors, build up a portfolio, work for well-known entities. But then judge your market value realistically, and possibly be in the same region/country. Even if it could technically possible, remote work with such distances has too much legal liability.

[rly0nheart]

You're right that I'm looking for remote positions from Zambia, and that distance adds complexity. But I don't think the issue is legal liability or risk of fraud. I worked remotely for Bellingcat for 8 months. They're an internationally recognised investigative journalism organisation. If they could verify me and manage the "legal liability," I don't see why tech companies can't. The risk assesment you're describing assumes that being from Africa without a degree makes someone inherently risky. But I have verifiable work history, public code, and people who can vouch for me. That should count as verification. I understand market realities. I'm not expecting to walk into a senior role at a FAANG company. But entry or mid-level positions shouldn't require "rockstar credentials" just because of geography. That's not about risk managment, it's about gatekeeping. The advice to "be in the same region/country" isn't practical when there are very few tech opportunities locally that pay a living wage. Remote work was supposed to democratise access to these jobs. If it only works for people in certain countries, that's a problem worth pointing out.