In a recent study conducted by The Gallup Organization, a staggering 71% of the total working population of America is unsatisfied with their current jobs. If you are among this two-thirds of the country’s professionals, and dread the very thought of going to office, we have just the news to cheer you up. A wide variety of in-demand careers these days fall under the self-employment category. And when we say “in-demand”, we’re speaking officially – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects these careers to flourish during the next 10 years. To put the red cherry on top, know that some of these careers do not require an awful lot of training.
Here are some of the most lucrative careers that fall in this category:
1. Accountant
The job of an accountant is pretty self-explanatory – they maintain financial records, prepare financial statements, create analysis, and manage budgets and taxes. There are two distinct categories in this profession:
• Management accountants – they work for large business houses and corporations
• Public accountants / tax specialists – these are primarily freelancers, who source their own work through personal clientele
The essential skills for being a successful accountant are fluency with number, being systematic and paying attention to detail. Most organizations expect their accountants to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, if not anything higher. Self employed accountants often get themselves certified through the Certified Public Accountant assessment, popularly known as CPA.
Statistically speaking, the average salary of accounts in 2009 was $67,430. The expected growth of employment in this sector is 22% for the period between 2008 and 2018.
2. Web developer
Almost every business today, regardless of its size and type, have a presence on the internet via their own website. Web developers work on various aspects of building websites. These may be front-end (design, layout) or back-end (database, scripting) of the website, and are accomplished through using various software packages and languages. Since the process of web development can be accomplished from any computer with the requisite software, it is a great small-sized business to run from home.
A good place to start as a web developer is to get a bachelor’s degree (available online) in computer science or an associated field. Also, since computer technology is changing at breakneck speeds, web developers need to refresh their knowledge with all the latest updates.
Statistically speaking, the average salary of this field in 2009 was $70,930. The expected growth of employment in this sector is 30% for the period between 2008 and 2018.
3. Software applications engineer
Software application engineers develop computer software, ranging from the most basic, everyday software, to the most advanced application packages. Freelance software engineers gather the needs of the end users, and design software around those needs using the principles of computer science. Thanks to advancements in telecommunication technologies, these jobs can be carried out from home.
Due to the technical expertise required in order to be a successful software engineer, it is advisable to go for bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering as well as mathematics. If that sounds too intimidating, a good place to start is a computer science degree and gain experience as a programmer, while working for other related degrees simeltaneously.
Statistically speaking, the average salary of this field in 2009 was $90,170. The expected growth of employment in this sector is 34% for the period between 2008 and 2018.
4. Skin-care specialist
Skin-care specialists are professionals in the field of beauty, and generally specialize in skin treatments such as facial, waxing, etc. These professionals are also referred to as estheticians.
In order to prepare for the mandatory state license, skin-care specialists are required to go through a certified cosmetology school, completing a specialized skin-care program. A great advantage of this field is that it often takes less than 9 months to complete these courses, allowing for a swift career change.
Statistically speaking, the average salary of this field in 2009 was $31,990. The expected growth of employment in this sector is 38% for the period between 2008 and 2018.
5. Landscape architect
The primary job of a landscape architect is to design aesthetic and functional outdoor spaces, which is accomplished by using various complex architectural, engineering and ecological principles. They can take on a wide range of construction tasks, and focus on designing their architecture according to their clients’ needs, while keeping the local ecosystem in mind.
Architects are typically creative and artistic individuals, and need to be great with drafting architectural designs, either by hand or by computer aided software. In order to acquire a state license, aspiring architects are required to obtain a minimum of bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture; a master’s degree is much more preferred, though.
Statistically speaking, the average salary of this field in 2009 was $65,910. The expected growth of employment in this sector is 20% for the period between 2008 and 2018.
So when are you starting?
As you can see, there are plenty of options available if you are interesting in working for yourself. To make it even easier, there are numerous online training and degree programs, which can help you realize your dream of having a flourishing self-employment career, without forcing you to quit your current job while you hone your skills.
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