Since relocating to Linz, expat partner Marcela Zalubilova has stayed open to new possibilities while pursuing her lifelong dream of building a career in nutrition consultancy.
A reassuring chat
“After I arrived in Austria, I spoke with Ines Ahrens from Global Connection about the relocation process, which was very helpful. Firstly, it reassured me that I wasn’t alone. But it also gave me a chance to talk through my plans,” says Marcela, a trained nutritionist. She had previously been working as a kindergarten teacher in Brno, Czechia.
Expect the unexpected
“As I wanted to learn German (so I could one day work as a nutritionist in Austria), I decided to search for a job. So I applied for a sales assistant role at a fashion brand that was re-opening its flagship store in Linz – and then a funny thing happened. In the interview they encouraged me to consider a full-time position as a Visual Commercial – a role that involves creating attractive displays and layouts to communicate brand identity and drive sales. I had zero experience doing this, but they liked my profile and personality, and… I got the job!”
Balancing work and studies
Although it’s a full-time job, Marcela has found the time (and energy) to pursue some studies on weekends. With the expatriating company’s support, she took a pilates instructor’s course – something she hopes to incorporate into her future work in nutrition consultancy. “I’m still hoping to learn German, although I actually use more English with my colleagues. It’s a very dynamic and multicultural team and working with them has been an amazing experience. Honestly, it’s gone much better than I expected so I’m happy to see where this career goes…”
A dream still in sight
In the long run, Marcela remains determined to become a nutrition consultant – even if, at first, it’s a sideline. She recently travelled back to Czechia to deliver a lecture on supplements for mothers, and she is also exploring ways to share her knowledge via social media. “I find it tremendously rewarding to share my lifelong passion for nutrition with others – honestly, I’d be happy to give advice for free. But I’m also enjoying my new and unexpected career. When relocating to another country, I think you just have to be ready to go with the flow.”
Photo: Marcela Zalubilova
