Navigating entry-level tech/design from Italy: Looking for feedback, portfolio review, and remote transition advice
Hi everyone,
I’m reaching out to this community to get some perspective from the international startup and tech ecosystem on breaking into entry-level/junior remote roles from Southern Europe.
To give some quick context: I’m currently a Communication & Media student based in Northern Italy (after relocating from the South). The entry-level market here is notoriously tough for university students—nearly every local opportunity is an unpaid internship with little to no growth path. Over the past few months, I’ve submitted around 100 applications targeting entry-level, junior, and student-friendly roles, with virtually zero response.
Rather than waiting on a stagnant local market, I’m actively working to bridge the gap toward remote, international teams where proactive execution, communication, and hands-on skills carry more weight.
A quick snapshot of my skillset:
Design & Frontend: UI/UX prototyping (Figma), design systems, responsive web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React/modern stacks).
Product & Content: Information architecture, UX writing, editorial strategy, and brand concept development.
Hands-on work: Co-founded a small web agency delivering bespoke websites for local businesses, created interactive academic web apps, and built editorial platforms from scratch.
🔗 Portfolio: https://portfolio-marti-liart.vercel.app
A couple of questions for the community:
Portfolio & Positioning: From a US/international hiring or founder perspective, how does my portfolio translate? What should I highlight or refine to stand out for remote Junior UI/UX, Web Design, or Content/Frontend roles?
Channel Strategy: Beyond cold LinkedIn/job board applications, what platforms, communities, or networking strategies actually yield conversations for international entry-level talent?
Any honest feedback, critiques, or reality checks are welcome. Thanks for your time!