Skip to main content
Visible at Work

Visible at Work

By Tracy Oyekanmi

For professionals in a new country as immigrants or expats struggling to be visible at work while dealing with workplace culture shock. Every Sunday, I share actionable tips from my over a decade experience in multicultural teams from Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America & Africa. Also, listen to interviews from relocated professionals as they share their secrets to staying visible at work even in a new territory.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Ep 48 Finding opportunities abroad when it seems impossible Interview with David Mc Neill

Visible at WorkFeb 28, 2021

00:00
31:38
Ep 51 A Unique Experience of Working Abroad in the Same Continent with Folu Adeyeye
Mar 30, 202146:27
Ep 50 Top 3 things to advance your Career Abroad
Mar 21, 202119:55
Ep 49 Dealing with Career Failures
Mar 14, 202116:13
Ep 48 Finding opportunities abroad when it seems impossible Interview with David Mc Neill

Ep 48 Finding opportunities abroad when it seems impossible Interview with David Mc Neill

On this week's guest episode, I speak with David McNeill the founder of Expat Empire.
Prior to building Expat Empire, David left the United States in 2014 after working in Investment Banking and and Product Management and has since lived in Tokyo, Berlin, and Porto. David started Expat Empire because he has a genuine passion for living abroad. He is also the host of Expat Empire Podcast and Author of Passport to Working in Japan.
As the founder of Expat Empire, David McNeill is focused on inspiring people to move abroad and showing them how to do it. In addition to producing books, podcasts, blog posts, meetup events, and more, Expat Empire offers personalized consulting services to give everyone the opportunity to achieve their international dreams. David shares the difficulty in finding work when he moved and how he overcame those struggles; He reminds us to:

Look for skill sets that you can add to whatever experience you have and which is also relevant to your next career move.
If you are going through a rough time abroad, know that you are not alone and the situation is not particular to you. Just keep your head down and be open-minded.
Feb 28, 202131:38
Ep 47 Telling your story with a Career Portfolio; How to build one and what should be in it
Feb 21, 202117:58
Ep 46 Why your past Career Story plays a Role in Your Future PT2
Feb 15, 202108:49
Ep 45 Why your past Career Story Plays a Role in your Future

Ep 45 Why your past Career Story Plays a Role in your Future

Everyone has a story but sometimes we think our story is too messy, too plain to even share. 

In this episode, I explain why your past story is important using the UNDERDOG to TOPDOG methodology by bringing past events in the economy to the fore and how that can translate to our careers as well.

Send in your questions to hello@visibleatwork.com


Feb 07, 202110:25
Ep 44 Rethinking a New Quality of Life with Dayana Rebolledo
Jan 31, 202125:33
Ep 43 How to Build Momentum with your career goals

Ep 43 How to Build Momentum with your career goals

Motivation is never enough to push us through the New Year highs and lows but there's a way to build that momentum even when its not convenient.

On this solo episode, you will realize that the same principles your bank offers you on growing your income can also be used to grow your career!

In fact, It can keep you striving for more when motivation has long disappeared.

I'm routing for you and I want to see you win.

Feel free to send your questions to hello@visibleatwork.com

Jan 24, 202112:13
Ep 42 What your Inaction is costing you
Jan 18, 202131:16
Ep 41 Ways to ditch the "New Year Goals" overwhelm

Ep 41 Ways to ditch the "New Year Goals" overwhelm

New Year, New You? Is it? 

Does it feel like a New Year? Whether we "feel" it or not , I welcome you to 2021 to kickstart season 2.

Instead of listing goals, I took a different route to share how I've been intentional in the new calendar year so maybe it would give you a different perspective on your new year goals.

Our career strategies and tips will kick off next week, to leave a question, email hello@visibleatwork.com


Jan 10, 202116:15
Ep 40 Why an Additional Degree is not Enough for Career Advancement
Nov 02, 202013:10
Ep 39 Building a professional footprint online using TikTok with Tayde Gonzalez
Oct 25, 202030:18
Ep 38 Important Phases of Career Planning Abroad
Oct 18, 202015:42
Ep 37 A tribute to the girl child and her career

Ep 37 A tribute to the girl child and her career

Today is International Day of the Girl Child and this episode addresses challenges females face in their career. Now imagine the Intersectionality being a foreign trained professional abroad. I hope we will leave the world better for the girl child coming to have a better career and supportive co-workers.
Oct 11, 202016:08
Ep 36 Why Career Planning Abroad is important
Oct 04, 202023:18
Ep 35 Keeping the same career across 3 continents with Karla Fraser

Ep 35 Keeping the same career across 3 continents with Karla Fraser

The business of Higher Education and supporting international students remains at the core of why Karla Fraser once worked in Afghanistan! And other countries as you'd hear on this episode.
She speaks about international students needs and how to adapt and also reminds us what to do when in doubt after you move.
Remember why you moved.
Plus how to build a community for support.
Family support is very important too and how to take advantage of activities that will help you stay grounded.
Sep 27, 202034:25
Ep 34 3 Things stopping your Career Abroad

Ep 34 3 Things stopping your Career Abroad

Having a career abroad is totally different from having a job abroad. If you want to build a career, you need to look at 3 things stopping your career abroad and deal with it. On this solo episode, i explain that it is never too late and why its dangerous to
seek career perfection.
Sep 20, 202011:15
Ep 33 Finding your voice abroad- Get credit for your work
Sep 14, 202011:27
Ep 32 How to Excel on a Team Panel Abroad

Ep 32 How to Excel on a Team Panel Abroad

In this solo episode, I discuss how to excel on a team panel when working abroad.

There are three (3) ways to know who you should expect on a team panel and how to excel when presenting to such people. You can also apply this strategy during virtual and in-person meetings.

  • Find out the type of people on the panel; this way you can know how best to get their attention and relay your message.
  • Always remember to finish up your meeting with how it fits into the OKR Organization's Key Results.

Send your questions to hello@visibleatwork.com

Sep 06, 202012:28
Ep 31 Adapting to a Foreign Culture Abroad with Dr. Yusuf J. Ugras

Ep 31 Adapting to a Foreign Culture Abroad with Dr. Yusuf J. Ugras

This episode is a full circle moment for me in training about Work Cultures. I interviewed my former professor, Dr Yusuf Ugras, Ph.D who is faculty with the MBA program at La Salle University Philadelphia and has consulted for several multinational organizations and educational institutions on working professionals and international audiences. Dr. Ugras brings over 30 years of academic experience.

He has made presentations at various conferences including UPCEA, AACSB International, Mid Atlantic Association of Colleges of Business Administration (MAACBA), American Accounting Association, European Management Accounting Conference, Management Accounting Research Symposia, and Philadelphia Controllers Conference. 

He has also provided assistance to several universities in improving their adult, and graduate programming. He has served as President of the American Accounting Association – Mid-Atlantic Region, as well as several positions with the Institute of Management Accountants. Most recently, he has served in the leadership positions with University Professional Continuing Education Association and American International Recruitment Council.

Dr U! As we fondly call him discusses how to adapt to foreign cultures.

  • Because you are most likely to encounter people from that culture.
  • He reminds us that with globalization and international companies having teams around the world, you don't have to travel to another country to experience their culture but interacting with your coworkers who comes from a foreign culture is another way to experience that culture and how that can improve your productivity 
Aug 31, 202038:09
Ep 30 Re-branding your Transferable Skills
Aug 24, 202013:56
Ep 29 How to kickstart being a Leader without the title yet Abroad
Aug 16, 202013:48
Ep 28 Why Your Silence could be Killing Your Career Abroad

Ep 28 Why Your Silence could be Killing Your Career Abroad

In this solo episode, I reveal the 4 myths that keep you from speaking up in meetings. This impacts your ability to connect with your bosses, team members and ability to be visible effortlessly in your career.
Aug 09, 202012:21
Ep 27 You are the Product Abroad Interview with Ravi Jayagopal

Ep 27 You are the Product Abroad Interview with Ravi Jayagopal

Ravi Jayagopal is a Business Coach, 6-time Author, Speaker, Podcaster- Subscribeme.fm and Cuttothechase.fm (2 shows), full-time Entrepreneur, Digital Marketer, Online Course Creator, WordPress Plugin Creator & Evangelist, an Amateur Ventriloquist. He has been selling online since 1997 and has created and sold several information products. But before all of this, Ravi made that leap and moved to the US as a computer engineer during the internet boom and also faced the struggle of a highly-skilled Immigrant , resettling with his family while building a business on the side. Soon enough, his several business ideas have become wildly successful and he shares openly so many secrets to succeeding abroad.  His advice is so good that it can be applied to your career and business too! On the podcast, Ravi shares how he moved to the US from India in 2000, worked at various high-tech jobs, all while building a business on the side, hustling nights and weekends, sleeping 5 hours a day while managing a family and a full-time job (a highly paid one, in New York). In 2010, he was able to quit his job and become a full-time entrepreneur, and move to San Diego, CA with his beautiful wife, 2 precious kids and a male dog inexplicably named Vanilla! He is also the Co-founder & Co-Developer of DigitalAccessPass - or DAP - a premium membership plugin for WordPress, and other popular WordPress plugins like CoolCastPlayer and S3MediaVault.When you put in a lot of hardwork, you make your own luck "Once you have an idea for a product, try to observe if there's a market for it. This is because you might be passionate about something for which there's no market for".
Jul 31, 202038:54
Ep 26 Using grit to succeed abroad Roman Prokopchuk

Ep 26 Using grit to succeed abroad Roman Prokopchuk

Roman Prokopchuk is a 2nd generation Immigrant who moved from Ukraine as a little boy to USA but he traces his success in business- Novazora Digital Agency and Digital Savage podcast to the grit he saw his grandparents display. Roman advises us that When moving to find new opportunities, it is important that you understand the type of role you want to get and your expectations or what you want to get out of it.
He also opens up about dealing with life situations.
"Each rough experience that we go through in life prepares us for the next rough experience".
Jul 19, 202022:48
Ep 25 Explaining a Gap on Your Resume with Sonal Bahl
Jul 13, 202050:04
Ep 24 How to be result oriented in your work Stan Van Workum
Jul 05, 202037:48
Ep 23 When you need to re-certify to practice Abroad. How Moyosore Balogun did it 1.5 years!
Jun 28, 202021:51
Ep 22 Making the minority experience transparent in Corporate.
Jun 22, 202021:06
Ep 21 Leading Global Teams- How to succeed working Abroad with Travis Ames

Ep 21 Leading Global Teams- How to succeed working Abroad with Travis Ames

Managing a globally diverse team is interesting and also comes with a sense of responsibility. 

On this bonus episode, Travis Ames, Vice President Consumer Devices at Microsoft Canada discusses the importance of building trust before visibility and his personal experience also while working abroad.

Key Takeaways:

Find ways to stay relevant in a team by constantly looking for areas where you can make a difference even beyond the scope of your core job.

Always take time to learn new skills beyond your core job. This way it'll be easy to fill in any skill gap and thus remain relevant.

As a team leader, optimism is one characteristics helps keep a team together. 

To learn more about Travis, connect with him on LinkedIn.


If you like the episode please rate, review and subscribe!

May 31, 202025:05
Ep 20 Why Credibility is the New Currency Post COVID-19

Ep 20 Why Credibility is the New Currency Post COVID-19

What you need beyond money in this pandemic is another type of currency. The one that will be a hedge against the changes. 

The credibility to maintain your role as an essential asset to the organization and the credibility to find better opportunities in the midst of a "scarce" job pool right now. 

Also, get the BONUS follow-up tracker to help you build your credibility currency here https://bit.ly/credcurrency  This is the currency you need to spend beyond money. Find out how. 

Send your questions to be answered in AMA Sessions to hello@visibleatwork.com

May 17, 202017:30
Ep 19 Building a Crisis Plan for your Career

Ep 19 Building a Crisis Plan for your Career

Today's crisis might be the best foundation to plan ahead of another crisis. 

On this episode, i share a crisis framework you can adapt to your career. Happy International Worker's Day!

Keep sending your questions to hello@visibleatwork.com

May 01, 202018:56
Ep 18 My boss thinks i'm not working hard enough!

Ep 18 My boss thinks i'm not working hard enough!

Ask Me Anything sessions are on! Send your questions to hello@visibleatwork.com

Apr 14, 202012:05
 Ep 17 How do i deal with my emotions about my career in COVID-19

Ep 17 How do i deal with my emotions about my career in COVID-19

Ask Me Anything sessions are on! 

Send your questions to hello@visibleatwork.com

Apr 05, 202013:60
Podcast Update

Podcast Update

NO more podcasts? or There's more?? Listen to find out what's new.

The email to reach out once again is hello@visibleatwork.com

Mar 25, 202005:39
Ep 16 Moving for love? Mindset shifts to keep you motivated

Ep 16 Moving for love? Mindset shifts to keep you motivated

When moving is the best decision for your family. How do you manage that with rebuilding your career and getting your mindset to a place that fuels your confidence for the future? 

Celebrity Chef, Helen Flitcroft left it all behind in Australia to start a a brand new career in New Zealand that she never expected. She attributes her success to a mindset shift and how foreign professionals can tap into it. 

Helen combines the MAP and Magnetic Mind methodologies with other success coaching strategies to bring about swift internal change and drive meaningful action.

Connect with Helen on the league of champions Facebook group

Feb 24, 202031:56
Ep 15 How to create more opportunities in a new country with Tina Varughese
Feb 09, 202017:43
Ep 14 Creating a new role in a new country and smashing targets with Tracey Zhang
Jan 30, 202021:45
Ep 13 Get a job in 1 week without applying! Make bold moves in your career in a new country
Jan 19, 202043:18
EP 12 Finding Gratitude when Everything Goes Wrong

EP 12 Finding Gratitude when Everything Goes Wrong

Craig Dias reminds us this season of why we should be thankful!

Moving from London to New Zealand. Craig is on a kidney transplant wait list for 7 years but that does not stop him from working, starting a new business through the use of social media and entering a new industry in real estate. 

One day, he gets that life-changing  phone call, gets a transplant successfully, recovers from surgery without any relapse, passes his licensing exams and STILL wins rookie salesperson of the year in the same year by selling 11 new properties.

If you're still thinking about how bad your year has been, be encouraged by Craig's journey and remember the fact that we are still here, making mistakes, working , side hustling, building relationships and have good health is a blessing we shouldn't take for granted.

Dec 15, 201934:57
EP 11 Would you work as the only foreigner in a location? Hear Daeyna's story about turning her mess into a message

EP 11 Would you work as the only foreigner in a location? Hear Daeyna's story about turning her mess into a message

Daeyna learns a new language in the middle of her divorce and moves from Jamaica to Japan to start a new life as an English teacher to join the Japan Teachers Exchange Program.  After moving , she found herself as the only foreigner and only black woman on an island of 4700 people!

Although there were several instances of culture shock, Daeyna believes that transitioning her career and a new location turned her mess into a message. She is also the host of She's a Mess podcast.

On this episode, she discusses

The cross-cultural difference in work styles- The Japanese two faced Tatemae and the Honne "Saying it as it is versus the two-face of not letting you feel upset".

How not to be blindsided during a transition

What to do to change the way you see yourself so you can help others.

Dec 09, 201926:26
EP 10 Brittney Oliver-From 100 Interviews to Business Founder

EP 10 Brittney Oliver-From 100 Interviews to Business Founder

Although she's American, Brittney Oliver understands the burden that comes with being different.

Having turned her own lemons of going through 100 interviews despite being highly intelligent with internships in New York under her belt, she takes us through her journey from seeking opportunities to creating opportunities. 

She was recently listed by Forbes as one of the "Nine Black Women Leaders Dedicated to Empowering Others".

Dec 01, 201928:47
EP 9 The foundation of your financial habits

EP 9 The foundation of your financial habits

From working 7 days a week, no rest and more bills. Ramon decided to become interested in financial education not just for his personal freedom but to help people make better choices for their future.

Today's guest is also passionate about money! Although he began a career in Nursing from the Philippines, he moved to Canada as an international student, re certified in a different aspect of the healthcare industry. Every weekend, he takes the time building a community by teaching people about the basics of better financial planning.

Ramon Gahob Jr. opens up about his personal and work journey and also discusses:


What to practice to set new habits


Getting help to maintain your financial planning


What you need that can become an incentive to plan for


And how he still manages to do all this things as an introvert!


Nov 24, 201927:18
Ep 8 Secure the Card- 5 things to build your credit score when working in the US

Ep 8 Secure the Card- 5 things to build your credit score when working in the US

Moving on her own to USA to fund her Masters degree education, Ibukunoluwa Oyeleke has had her fair share in dealing with money and building a solid credit for herself.
Although she is an IT professional based in Florida, Ibukun's passion about saving money and building a good credit score in a country where she had no credit history led her to start the 10MinuteFinancial Guide movement.
Beyond her day job, she spends time helping others gain financial freedom so they are not tied to jobs they hate, or have to endure more stress due to money issues. Studies have shown that 25% of employees report that issues with personal finances have been a distraction at work.
On this episode,you'll learn how:
A client she helped went from 10 credit cards with $38,000 in debt to a reduced debt of $8,000 and now boasts of $12,000 in savings in 6 months!
5 things to help your credit score in the US
Why you shouldn't depend on the credit card for your survival.
How you can use it to get good debt when you need it in future.
The joy of delayed gratification and contentment
What she splurges on!




Nov 17, 201938:44
Ep 7 Bay Simpson- Side hustling and working with a global mindset

Ep 7 Bay Simpson- Side hustling and working with a global mindset

We live in the "gig economy" where people trade their skills for money beyond the traditional 9-5 job with a side hustle. This is real work and you may have been thinking of starting one so listen to how our guest, Bay Simpson is killing it! 

After a series of layoffs from her past corporate roles, Bay Simpson was motivated to begin a side hustle and now she helps other women do same while holding down a 9-5 job. 

She also discusses how her curiosity and passion for personal development paid off when she moved from Accounting in the US to become an IT Business Analyst before stacking up a side hustle to also offer trans formative strategy sessions for others in Toronto, Canada.

Bay admits that running a business alongside a full-time job comes with its own learning and she is willing to help us succeed you are game! Listen in.


Nov 10, 201925:20
Ep 6 Nick Noorani- Working in Canada? 3 things you NEED to do

Ep 6 Nick Noorani- Working in Canada? 3 things you NEED to do

If you have ever read the Canadian federal government's guide to immigration for newcomers, then you are about to listen to the writer! Nick has dedicated his life to help immigrants succeed in Canada especially as he moved after a successful career in Advertising and Marketing with international experience in 3 countries but still faced challenges.

Nick reinvented himself, has become a renowned author, publisher of Canadian Immigrant magazine which changed the media landscape forever by focusing on immigrants who succeeded. In 2009, Nick created the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award - Canada's first award recognizing immigrant contributions to Canada and he also sits on several boards volunteering his time and expertise.

If you had a long career prior to your move and need to reinvent yourself or just need to stay on course in this journey then you should listen to this episode.

Nick reveals three things you should do once you start working in Canada and how he enjoys playing Grandpa to his favorite little angels 


Nov 03, 201916:53
Small Talk when you're different

Small Talk when you're different

Who hates small talk? Uuurgh 

There is this hype about small talk that you should find common things to discuss but when you are different and still need to get a hang of your new environment, how do you get into the conversation easily?

On this episode, you'll learn what small talk with a difference is, how you can pick on it as an introvert, ambivert or extrovert and what you can't afford to do even if you hate small talk.

Try it and see how the tables will turn in your favor! If you found this useful, let your friends in by sharing the link. also, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review.

Guest episodes start next month!!!

Oct 27, 201911:16
Did i say something wrong? The social awkwardness of professional networking PT.2

Did i say something wrong? The social awkwardness of professional networking PT.2

You've heard great things about trying storytelling but what about the stories you shouldn't be telling?

There are 10 things you should tread lightly on when professionally networking as a global citizen. What might sound cool to you could be hurtful to other people. This doesn't apply only within the office but also "business settings" and other social meetings when connecting with people.

Oct 20, 201914:55
 The social awkwardness of professional networking

The social awkwardness of professional networking

Do you want to change about the way you network professionally? Then listen in to see how not sharing enough could make you seem awkward. 

Often times the awkwardness comes with the silence, but you can learn how to have stories prepared and what kind of stories to tell when the opportunity arises in a professional setting.

Oct 13, 201911:09