The words “work from home” are too often synonymous with boring envelope stuffing or scams that cost a bunch of money up front. However, today’s technology is making it much easier for people to do a variety of jobs from the comfort of their own home.
If you’re looking to break out of the rat race and work on your own terms, consider one of the following professions.
1. Web Developer/Designer
Looking to get into a new field that will allow you to work from home? Web designers and developers are in high demand, and often make much better money by contracting work to several clients, instead of punching a clock for just one company. Gaining the skills to break into this field can be done at a vocational school or college. In fact, there are certificate programs that can be completed in a matter of just months for web designers. It may take a bit longer to become a developer.
2. Medical Transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists are kind of like court reporters, but for doctors. Unlike court reporting, medical transcription can be done from the comfort of your home office. In this job, you’ll listen to dictated notes recorded by doctors. It’s your job to transcribe these notes to documents verbatim. It can be tedious work, but after you learn a bit about medical terms and stories, it can be very fascinating. Oh, and experienced transcriptionists easily pull in $20 an hour or more.
3. Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billing and coding training is another popular option for anyone looking to get out from under those fluorescent office lights and work near an open window. This field, like many medical occupations, is growing rapidly and people with the right training can make a very decent living working from home. If you need the kind of job freedom that comes with working from home, consider looking into a medical billing and coding program.
4. Writer/Editor
Can you craft a decent sentence or have a keen eye for detail? There’s a growing need for writers and editors, many of whom work on a contract basis from home. You can do anything from crafting content for email campaigns to writing the homepage for a company’s website. There are plenty of options out there for writers of all levels.
5. Call Center Rep
More call centers are opting to hire people willing to work from home. It makes sense to think about how much money these companies are saving. Instead of paying for a massive office space packed with people and computers and other energy-draining appliances, they can mail you a headset and a new hire packet. It’s a better deal for you, too; instead of being crammed in a cubicle, you’re working from the comfort of your own home.
Conclusion
Of course, this is just a small sample of the possibilities that come with working from home. Don’t be afraid to break away from the office culture and venture out on your own. From medical billing and coding to tech support, there are plenty of opportunities out there if you know where to look.
Benjamin Norris supplements his full-time job by working at home as a freelance writer in Phoenix, AZ.