Missoula is one of the most picturesque places you will ever call “home.” We have clear waters, blue skies, and amazing wildlife. Unfortunately, we end up getting stuck in the office or inside for far too long to fully enjoy all Missoula has to offer. If you’ve considered working from home so you can make your schedule, have a stable income while you’re in school, or eliminate your commute, there are plenty of ways Missoulians are achieving the freedom to do so.
One thing many University of Montana students regret is not spending enough time outdoors or exploring all Missoula has to offer. The other great residents of our city find they don’t have the time to hike, attend a theatre production, or explore our breweries. If you fall into this category, you may want to evaluate why you don’t have the time and consider gaining some freedom by working from home.
We’ve put together a list of seven jobs that let you make your own schedule and skip clocking in at the office.
1. Virtual Assistant
Gone are the days when personal assistants and administrative assistants show up to the office, sit at a desk, and answer a corded phone. Many of these jobs have shifted online. As an online or virtual assistant, you will answer and reply to emails and phone calls, schedule meetings and organize the calendar, and book flights and hotels all from your sofa or home office. You may also do some market research and create some spreadsheets for business meetings presentations. According to PayScale, the average pay for virtual assistants is $15.63 per hour.
2. Owning an Online Shop
More and more millennials are becoming entrepreneurs. Why? Because they want control of their lives and to be able to help others while doing so. One way you can join the self-employed movement is to create your own online shop. If you have a great eye for style, you can curate and sell fashion in an online boutique. You can also turn a hobby like cross stitching or woodworking into a business. All you have to do is register your domain name, set up your website, and get to selling. You can even donate some of your proceeds to your favorite local charity.
3. Start Your Own Business
If you bake, build cabinetry, or have a knack for brewing great beer, you can open a business. You can make your own hours and take jobs you want to take. To avoid some of the startup costs, you can begin by working from home. If you have a home bakery or brewery, you can deliver your products to local restaurants or sell them at local markets and events. If you build cabinetry, you’ll want to rent a fleet truck that can handle the snow to get what your supplies safely to your workshop and your cabinets to your client’s house.
4. Become a Freelance Writer
You don’t need to be able to compose the next Paradise Lost to become a successful freelance writer. In fact, most freelance writers don’t even have English degrees. The high demand of content marketing through blogs and articles has opened up the possibility of freelancing to everyone. You can find online freelance websites that will match your skills to clients or you can stop by local businesses and ask if they need help with content for their websites. The average freelancer makes about $24 per hour.
5. Be a Web Content Manager
Some of the best business people are great at what they do but aren’t great with keeping up with their websites. This is where you can come in and assist in keeping websites up-to-date with correct prices, inventory, and content like blogs and photos. If you have an eye for design, you can also help business owners create more attractive sites, too. You will have to keep up with traffic numbers and possibly help out with social media, too. A content manager makes about $20 per hour on average.
6. Walk a Few Dogs or Pet Sit
This career is great for stay-at-home parents, college students, or potential entrepreneurs. You can start your own pet sitting business and hire walkers and sitters to work with you, or you can find a local pet sitting company to work for. There are even pet sitting and walking apps that will manage clients and pay so you don’t have to. The average overnight stay will pay about $80 and a 30-minute walk will pay between $15 and $20.
7. Teach Online
Managing a classroom full of rowdy kids can be a nightmare. Luckily, online teaching eliminates the need for classroom management and can let you set your own hours. You can teach English for most companies if you have almost any bachelor’s degree or you can teach the subject you studied in college. Most online teaching platforms serve students outside of the U.S., so you may need to adjust to waking up early, but most of them let you set your schedule within a set timeframe. Most services will pay you between $15 and $30 per hour.
If you want more time to explore what Missoula has to offer, then take the plunge and find a career that will let you. The freedom of self-employment can empower you to live a fuller more exciting life while giving you more control over your schedule and your salary. If you love dogs or cats, why not make it your career? Missoula is always in need of great startups, so try it out, and see if you can make the most of Missoula.