Welcome to zerotofivecareers 👋🏾
If you’re 0–5 years into a career you can grow from anywhere, and you’re building that from a developing country, this newsletter is for you.
Every two weeks, I share lessons from my 7+ years of building a global career remotely, along with insights from professionals who have done the same.
In each issue, you’ll get 1 actionable framework you can apply right away or use to figure out your next step, along with real examples that show the advice in action.
You’ll learn how to:
Do exceptional work in your current role and earn a raise or promotion
Build authority in your industry beyond your job title, so you always have options
Navigate the realities of building globally, from getting paid across borders to avoiding being lowballed
Why this newsletter exists
Hi 😊, I’m Jessica Tee Orika-Owunna, a Senior Content Marketer and Writer building a global career remotely from Nigeria.
In 2017, I was earning 5,000 Naira a week writing product reviews, transcribing podcasts manually, and printing ID cards for a farmers’ project.
I had graduated the year before with a degree in computer engineering, but I still couldn’t use it because the compulsory one-year national youth service was delayed.
Between then and early 2020, I wrote everything from ghostwritten non-fiction books and vow renewal speeches to landing pages and business proposals for local employers to build experience and stay afloat.
Then, in late August 2020, I took a bet.
I accepted an internship at a B2B content marketing agency that paid far less than what I was making from ghostwriting, with no guarantee it would lead anywhere.
That decision led to my first international role the following year.
Since then, I’ve:
Worked as an employee and independently with global companies like Foundation Marketing Inc., Hotjar, Contentsquare, Softr, and Vena
Landed bylines in publications I once bookmarked for inspiration like Moz and Entrepreneur
Mentored professionals via FCDC, ADPList, and GrowthMentor
Been featured in publications including TechCabal, Top of the Funnel, Punch Nigeria, and The Nation Nigeria
Served as a judge in multiple international awards programs, including the 2025 Global Search Awards and U.S. Search Awards
I know what it feels like to face barriers like geographic bias, unreliable electricity, and limited access to opportunities, and still make it work. I also know many others who have pushed past those same barriers.
This newsletter is everything I wish I had when I was starting out. I haven’t figured everything out—no one has. But I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned so far and invite others to do the same.
