While traditional desk jobs offer security and routine, working from a cubicle isn’t for everyone. Many ambitious professionals crave flexibility and independence instead. If you’ve been working a steady job and are struggling to find fulfillment in your career, self-employment could be the perfect fit. Nearly 10 percent of the US workforce is self-employed, and these individuals work in a multitude of professions. Here are a few examples of jobs that could be your invitation to work for yourself.
Real Estate Agent
Professional real estate agents come from a variety of backgrounds, making this profession a great second career. Each state has its own requirements for becoming a real estate agent. Most of the time, you’ll need to have at least a high school degree and complete pre-licensing requirements. You’ll then take a licensing exam in order to start taking clients.
Once you begin your career, you can work under an existing brand or start your own. And since agents work on commission, you set your own income goals. Most individuals in this field make between $55 and $111k per year.
Freelance Writer
If flexibility is a priority for you, consider starting a career as a freelance writer. These professionals can work from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection and a laptop. You can also define a niche in the market for better success. If you have a medical background, health or technical writing could be a great fit. You may also find fulfillment pitching stories to magazines or taking on editing work as well. While income levels can vary, there are plenty of growth opportunities in this field.
Marketing Consultant
Businesses of all sizes are in need of marketing help. If you’ve worked in marketing for years but are looking for a change, consider starting your own career as a marketing consultant. In this role, you’ll work directly with individuals and businesses to refine and execute their marketing plans.
Consulting is another industry where a niche is helpful. For example, you might offer marketing for credit unions specifically. This would involve understanding the financial services industry, monitoring what other institutions are using for their marketing, and launching a multi-channel outreach strategy to attract new customers. Once you run a successful campaign with one credit union, it could lead to more clients.
Medical Device Sales
If you are skilled at sales, you might find a lucrative career selling medical devices for various companies. You could make six figures in this role, depending on the industry. Keep in mind that medical device sales can require travel. For example, professionals in this career may sell hearing aids in Highlands Ranch and Boulder, CO within one day. Many professionals will relish this opportunity to travel and talk to people since each day is generally different in sales. You can expect your commission to grow with your aptitude for the job.
Personal Finance Advisor
Many people associate the finance sector with set schedules and desk jobs, but there are plenty of opportunities to be your own boss in this industry. Personal financial advisors are among those enjoying self-employment. In this role, you would help clients better manage their money and plan for their financial future. This could mean going over their finances in general or focusing on a specific area like investments. Client retention is one of the main perks of this job. If you deliver quality, you can keep the same clients for life. And this ensures a steady income.
While the jobs in this list are some of the most popular paths to self-employment, there are plenty of ways to be your own boss. All you have to do is consider your skills and how you can break out on your own within your industry. You can also go back to school or seek additional training to start over in a completely new field. That type of flexibility and choice is what makes self-employment worth it from the start.
