Juggling a full-time job and caring for children can be incredibly difficult.
Related: Career and Motherhood:10 Ways to Make It Work
If you're a single parent, the pressure to balance providing and being present reveals its own issues. In a two-parent household, you might be forced to choose between the parent who stays at home and the one who goes to work, and that's if you're lucky. For many parents, expensive child care is the only option when they return to work.
Today, the professional landscape is changing. Alternative working methods and working days are emerging. With the growth of digitalization, more jobs are emerging that better fit our modern lives. This same digitization also makes it possible to become your own boss.
Whether you're looking for an employer who supports a flexible work environment, considering taking up your profession as a freelancer, or completely retraining to make working from home easier, the parents have the ability to find a way to work while being there for their children.
Remote work is on the rise. Telecommuting is a smart option for workers and employers due to its flexibility, lower costs and improved efficiency.
Training can take place anywhere, anytime. The internet has blessed us with the information age. If there is a new skill you want to learn, or if you want to expand on existing knowledge, it is possible, at a relatively low cost and flexible.
Here are some of the best learning portals for some of the most sought-after freelance skills:
Lynda.com:Reliable, effective and affordable video training in a multitude of business and technology areas.
Skillcrush:aims to arm you with specific skills for specific digital jobs. There may be a higher cost, but that comes with greater qualification on the other end.
Google Analytics Certifications:A free training resource straight from Google. This course will teach you how to use and get the most out of Google Analytics, a platform used by the most successful businesses with an online presence. This qualification looks great on your resume, but it also gives you the essentials to start your own website.
Alison:More of a knowledge center than a training forum, Alison is still a brilliant resource for anyone looking to develop their skills in a wide range of subjects.
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Common Remote Jobs
The roles described below are all considered highly skilled, but they do not require specific higher education and can all be continued after retraining and practice in the field. This makes them perfect for parents looking for a high-paying, adaptable job.
1. Web Designer / User Experience
Web design is not an industry that despises lack of a degree but rather rewards solid experience. If you have a good portfolio, getting paid customers shouldn't be too difficult. With a little work to build skills and build a strong portfolio, it's very possible to land clients as a freelancer or seek out an employer who allows remote work.
Find out what the designers of Freelance websites and UX designers win.
2. Proofreader
You don't need much more than strong writing skills and some experience to start proofreading. If you have a college education and can develop an online presence, proofreading is a great source of income. It's often a very flexible profession, meaning you can take on assignments to suit your schedule.
At first you're unlikely to earn much, but as you develop more relevant experience , your salary will increase. Explore the different types of proofreaders to see which ones match your particular interests and skills.
3. Marketing Agent
Marketing services are one of the highest paying opportunities for freelancers and entrepreneurs. There are often many vacancies for these jobs. In marketing, experience matters more than your background. Online training courses can be extremely helpful. You may need to complete a few unpaid projects to build track record, but if you're willing to put in the time and hard work, marketing can be a very rewarding career.
4. Salesforce Admin
Salesforce is an adaptable customer relationship management platform that organizations use in their day-to-day business. Companies hire staff to help them monitor and maintain its functionality and data.
Salesforce is one of the world's largest technology companies and, in turn, employers. Its job growth is massive, with an estimated 2 million jobs expected by 2020. Additionally, it is proud to support remote workers.
Salesforce welcomes retrainers and offers a program free training course called Trailhead. You can do this at your own pace to learn more about the different roles involved in operating the platform.
5. Translator
Additional language skills are a great tool for earning money and are often in demand. Translation work can be completely on-time and under your control, making it a perfect option for those with unusual schedules.
Parents, the world is changing and you're in luck. Expect to see remote work increase in the coming years. It can be scary to take the plunge, but the risk is often worth it, especially for parents. Hard work, commitment and time are essential.
Related: 10 things you didn't know about freelancing (that you should)
