“I developed a natural facility with languages.”

Hi, I’m “anzunoki”, currently living in Montreal, Canada, where I completed my B.A. in Honours Political Science and Psychology from McGill University. Growing up, I lived in Norway, Holland, Japan, India, and Oman - so I developed a natural facility with languages.

- What are you currently involved with?

I am currently working as a receptionist at a private language school in Montreal, where I continue to develop my fluency in foreign languages as I interact with students from around the world. I also work as the volunteer coordinator for an after-school program for children in my neighbourhood public school.

- What was your catalyst for joining Workshift?

I was looking for part-time work opportunities when I stumbled upon Workshift. I have always tried to utilize my fluency in Japanese - for example, as a manager of a French-Japanese fusion restaurant, or in my capacity as a trilingual customer care representative for the Japanese market at a luxury fashion store. Given my various work and volunteer commitments, I was immediately taken by the flexibility provided by Workshift.

- How does Workshift fit your lifestyle?

Although I have been lucky to live in various countries, I only discovered my passion for travelling a few years ago. In 2015, I travelled to Ghana to work at a policy-oriented think tank. On the weekends, I explored neighboring regions and countries, and once my internship ended, I travelled to Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. During my four months in Africa, I had no real income, and my past jobs did not offer me the flexibility afforded by Workshift. Being able to set my own schedule, choose my own projects, and work remotely will definitely be a lifesaver in the future when I travel for extended periods of time.

- What led you to travel to Africa?

I tried not to be too much of a tourist, as I was more interested in the histories of ethnic violence, persecution, and local life, but there is only so much one can do in three weeks. Of course, I could not miss the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro or go on a mini-safari! Looking back, I would have loved to have a freelance job like Workshift during my travels.

- Going forward, what are you long-term goals?

I plan to attend law school and obtain a J.D. and then eventually a LLM degree. I have yet to figure out any concrete career goals, but at the moment, I am thinking of working at the intersection of law and public policy. Regardless of where life takes me, I hope to utilize my cross-cultural experience and work in some sort of international environment. As a student, and even after that, I believe I will have a very messy and hectic schedule, and I hope to freelance on Workshift to supplement my income!

- Do you have any lasting impression of Workshift?

I have always been slightly skeptical of working online, or even freelancing, as it is harder to trust people online than in person. That said, my experience with the Workshift staff and members has been nothing short of amazing. Prompt replies and support from the administration, feedback on jobs and even my personal profile, and flexible and transparent members have made my experience with Workshift an amazing one. While I have yet to encounter any issues with the site, my experience thus far makes me confident that any issues will be addressed promptly and professionally in the future.

- Any advice for new freelancers?

One little piece of advice for any new freelancers: make sure you are visible! I learned this after being “discovered” by a Workshift administrator who just stumbled upon my profile by chance. At the beginning, I had no picture, and barely any information - providing this makes a world of difference. It takes a little work at the beginning, but it is the best investment you will ever make as a freelancer on Workshift.