Maybe your daily commute leaves you wracked with guilt over what all those carbon emissions do to the planet. Perhaps you have responsibilities like parenting to attend to. Or you merely can’t stand the thought of once more wearing pants which you didn’t have to when having a remote job. Either way, you’ve decided you want to keep working from home well after the pandemic ends.
You aren’t alone — 40% of recent survey respondents said they’d rather quit than return to the office full-time. Fortunately, you have more telecommuting options than ever in today’s economy. Here are five great remote jobs you can get in traditionally in-person fields.
1. Nurse
Does it surprise you that nursing made the list? After all, most of them walk miles every shift, visit patients in various rooms, administer IV medications, and comfort patients and families alike.
However, the reality of COVID-19 means more patients than ever avoid making unnecessary doctor visits to minimize their risk of infection. This has created a demand for more phone triage nurses. This position entails listening to patients as they describe their medical conditions and determining the level of care needed. If it’s something the individual can do themselves, you’ll walk them through the steps. You’ll also advise when to seek professional treatment.
2. Therapist
If you adore helping people work through their problems, then a remote job as a therapist or therapeutic support specialist may be for you. You’ll consult with clients via Zoom or phone to help them overcome their mental health challenges.
Becoming a therapeutic support specialist is a great way to discover if further work in the mental health field is for you before dropping a bundle on graduate school. You need a bachelor’s degree to get your foot in the door. You might do anything from working with clients in hospitals to accompanying at-risk children to school to provide interventions as necessary.
If you decide the field is for you, you can open more doors by advancing your education.
3. Personal Trainer
Did you think that being a personal trainer meant you were out of business when gyms closed during the pandemic? If you get creative, you can do this job from home.
One method is to connect one-on-one with clients using Zoom or FaceTime. Many people, particularly those with compromised immune systems, hesitate to go out in this brave new world of loosened restrictions. However, that hasn’t stopped them from needing guidance with exercise programs vital to maintaining their independence and functionality.
If you taught group classes before, why not investigate starting your own YouTube channel? Of course, you’ll need to amass a pool of subscribers before you can monetize through ads, but you have other options, too. For example, you could set up an account on Patreon and charge clients for new video releases or unique bonus content they won’t find for free.
4. Tax Preparer
The days of carting your end-of-the-year shoebox off to your accountant are relics of the past. Instead, today’s financial apps make it a snap to keep everything organized — and for the folks who prepare your taxes to work remotely.
Fortunately, you no longer have to go through five years of college and sit for the CPA exam to practice, although earning this credential increases what you can offer. For example, if you specialize in tax matters only, you can get your EA license by passing a three-part exam and then have full representation rights before the IRS. After earning this credential, you can go one step further and get certified to represent your clients in tax court.
5. Administrative Assistant
Administrative positions lend themselves to work-from-home arrangements. But it was tough to find employers who didn’t want to keep such workers within their sight before the pandemic. Now, more companies recognize that, yes, their staff will complete their assignments without supervision — and they can save a small fortune on overhead, like office rent.
Your biggest challenge in this role might be finding a work-life balance. Please avoid unnecessary job strain by having a heart-to-heart with your supervisor and setting reasonable boundaries. For example, if you need them to honor your weekends with your child, say so. Otherwise, resentment can grow, creating a toxic atmosphere that you contribute to with your silence.
The pandemic did bring some positive changes. For instance, it opened up the world of telework, freeing the planet from unnecessary carbon emissions and countless commuters hours of drive time each week. So, if you’re seeking change, why not investigate one of these five great remote jobs?
Featured image via Helena Lopes on Unsplash
