The turbulent political landscape is something that affects us all over the years, and it’s something that we have to continually define and redefine over the course of our lives. Navigating the rocky paths of the career ladder isn’t an easy task in the first place, but it’s made all the more difficult by impending legislation that could completely scupper your plans and force you to reconsider where, when and how you work.
That sounds alarmist, and to a degree it is. It’s important to understand that if, as a UK citizen, you’re looking for work or even to study abroad, you need to be aware of every new piece of legislation that comes in as a result of Brexit.
As the Brexit negotiations continue, one phrase you’re likely to have heard again and again is ‘Brexit means Brexit.’ This means in essence that the government is opting for something known as a ‘hard Brexit.’ What is this, and how does it define your working opportunities?
It’s anyone’s guess at the date this article was written, but there are some things you should know:
What Is Hard Brexit?
A hard Brexit, loosely defined, is the term that has come to symbolise the event where Britain leaves the single market in favour of taking full control of its borders. This form of Brexit is seen as both terrifying but also as a new opportunity. To use a basic metaphor, it is similar to riding a bike without stabilisers. The United Kingdom will be completely on its own to inform its policy, secure trade deals and rebuild immigration relationships. For a short period, this is likely to be more of a turbulent and uncertain time than how a ‘soft’ Brexit would proceed.
However, this does afford the UK the opportunity to truly secure more competitive advantages for its workers, and may even secure its citizens better rights when protected abroad. Keep on top of any news coming out over the next formative months if you plan to live or work abroad shortly.
Moving Abroad
The ability for you to live abroad will never truly vanish. Just because the UK is renegotiating its borders, it doesn’t mean that it will be impossible to move around the world. If you have qualifications, work permits and visa’s, and all the necessary documentation, it’s likely you’ll still be able to move from country to country without a hitch. Hiring Immigration Lawyers can go a long way in helping you assess this documentation within the right frameworks. Just be certain to bring all documentation in advance, and check with the faculty or firm you’re planning to work or study with in order to supplement this application.
However, for now, your rights abroad are not guaranteed. At least temporarily. The public outcry will be tremendous if the government fails to secure rights for its nationals abroad, so in most circumstances this isn’t useful to worry about.
In summary – you shouldn’t feel afraid to go for the necessary skills and job markets that you’d like to work in abroad. It might take a work visa such as what you would require if you were to work in the United States of America. British Universities and the British passports are some of the strongest in the world, and so for the most part, if you stay on top of news relating to Brexit, you can continue your life relatively unimpeded, except for maybe a new form here or there. Instead, you should focus on your career and becoming as successful as you can.
Have your career been affected by Brexit? Let us know in the comments
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