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How A Hobby Turned Into A Full-time Remote Job

December 23, 2022

Dario Jazbec Hrvatin

Dražen Duvnjak, our OTGS Star of December talks about how he transitioned from a WordPress hobbyist into an IT professional.

Dražen, tell us about yourself

I am a sporty tech geek from Croatia, living in a small village/town near the Italian and Slovenian border. I am a big fan of the AC Milan football club.

I received my education at the Maritime University in Rijeka, where I lived and worked for the past 10 years before moving back to my hometown. I am a maritime electronic engineer but have not worked much in the industry. 

I have been working with WordPress and websites since I was a kid. Thankfully, I have been able to turn it into my full-time job in recent years and keep doing the job I like.

I have a sister and am an uncle to 2 cutest little nephews. :)

Dražen exploring the city of Porto

What were you doing before joining OTGS?

Before joining OTGS, after finishing my education at the Maritime University, I worked as an electronic engineer on a cargo ship for three years and traveled around the world. It gave me an opportunity to go and see places I would never have otherwise. 

After that episode, I started freelancing in the WordPress industry since building websites as a side project was always a hobby of mine, and I wanted to turn it into a full-time job.

How did you hear about the company?

I heard about OTGS through my work in the WordPress industry. In this field, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of different tools and products, and OTGS and their WPML product have been well-known, respected, and widely used within the industry. 

I had already used their products before when building websites for my clients. This means I was familiar with the company and their offerings before I had the opportunity to work here.

What led you to choose remote work?

I enjoy working remotely because it allows me to save time and money on commuting, and I feel more comfortable and focused in my own environment. I appreciate the freedom and flexibility that comes with remote work and the ability to be more independent of external factors like the weather or location. Overall, I have found that remote work has been a good fit for me and has allowed me to be more productive and efficient in my work.

Amazed by the monuments of Verona

How do you unwind at the end of a busy day?

At the end of a busy day, I like engaging in activities that help me relax and recharge. This might include participating in sports or outdoor activities.

Dražen working out with some of his friends

I find that these activities help me clear my mind and relieve stress after a day of work. Additionally, I try to make sure that I take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge, as this helps me stay focused and motivated.

Best antistress workout park, just next to the beach

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy being active and participating in sports such as calisthenics and running, as well as outdoor activities like cycling, walking, and hiking. As soon as I finish my work for the day/week I am outside spending my time actively, on short trips, reading a good book, or spending time with family and friends. 

“Hiking in winter is something special”, says Dražen

How do you manage the boundary between life and home?

This is something I struggled with when I started, but I’ve found a way that works perfectly for me.

Separating work and personal time can be a challenge, especially when working remotely. One way I manage the boundary between life and home is by having a designated workspace that is separate from the rest of my living space. This helps mentally separate work from home and creates a sense of structure and routine. 

Additionally, it helps build-in breaks and dedicated personal time into your schedule to ensure you have time to rest and recharge. This sets a set of rules and guidelines for yourself and those around you and helps everyone to manage the boundary between working time and personal time.

Dražen preparing for a hiking trip with his friends

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