Let’s face it; we all wish we could be in charge of our hours, decide when we want to take a break, clock out of work, and take days off. In short, we all want to be our own boss. What we really mean when we say we want to be our own boss is often tied to the amount of work we can or want to do in a day and deciding how much we want to get paid for it.
Suppose you’re a fresh graduate and are still unsure of how you want to proceed or of entering the workforce in general. In that case, self-employment can be a good first step to figuring out what you want to do and how you want to do it. Also, it further develops your skills for proper employment later on and enables you to gain some much-needed work experience for future employment prospects.
There are plenty of self-employment careers that can help students. Fresh graduates gradually get used to the workload and employment while still giving them enough independence and freedom to experiment and take things slowly if they want to. Here are seven unique careers you might want to consider if you want to be your own boss and be in charge of your hours.
1. Freelancing
For many fresh graduates, freelancing is usually their first foray into the world of employment. It’s perfect for students who don’t have that much work experience yet but are looking to build that experience and improve their skills. With freelancing, you work on a job-to-job basis and can choose not to take on any work at any time if you want to, which makes it ideal for students with busy schedules who still want to earn money on the side.
One of the most sought-after freelance careers is writing, graphic design, and general SEO. These are all excellent choices for people without much experience. You can easily find resources to help and educate you online, and being able to define your work hours gives you the freedom to find a schedule that works for you as you slowly get used to your work duties. All you really need is your laptop or PC and a strong Wi-Fi connection.
2. Makeup Artist
If you’re a makeup savant, becoming a freelance or full-time makeup artist can be very profitable. If you’re looking to break into becoming a professional makeup artist for celebrities or even films, then starting out as a freelance makeup artist isn’t a bad idea. Although professional training is always valuable, this is one of those jobs that don’t really require a lot of technical skills to get started. You can slowly build those skills up over time. Costs can include, of course, your makeup and travel expenses, but otherwise, they are pretty low.
3. Social Media Manager
Most, if not all, students nowadays are very tech and social media savvy, which is perfect if you want to break into a career as a social media manager. A social media manager basically manages and maintains a client’s social media pages daily. Depending on the client, you might not even have to do a lot. If you already have experience managing your own social media accounts, you can quickly become a social media manager with little to no professional experience.
4. Virtual Assistant
Like a social media manager, becoming a virtual assistant is exactly as it says on the tin—you work as an assistant to a client or a corporation, usually entirely online. Your duties include responding to e-mails, taking calls and other inquiries, managing your client’s files and schedule, and doing various other tasks related to your client’s business. You might also be required to create content for your client’s social media pages. It’s a good stepping stone for anyone looking to improve their skills and get used to a work or office environment, even entirely online.
5. Personal Trainer
Becoming a personal trainer can be a good start if you have some experience, education, or training in physical fitness and instructing. For one, you’re in charge of your hours and that of your client’s, and you can earn a lot by the hour per client. Granted, this one might cost you a lot, such as equipment, gym subscriptions, and even insurance. But it can be a very profitable career, especially if you have good communication skills and love fitness and working out.
6. Bail Bondsman
Now, for something that requires a bit more expertise, you can look into becoming a bail bondsman. Essentially, what a bail bondsman does is front the money needed for bail for a criminal defendant, with the assurance that they’ll get a return on their investment. It’s definitely not something any person without work experience can do. For one thing, you need to pass specific exams and training and get a license, but if you pass, you’re looking at a very profitable career that never dries out, depending on where you live.
7. Real Estate Agent
If your interest lies more in real estate, becoming a real estate agent is probably already on your list. With good communication skills and an eye for business, you can become a real estate agent in only a few months. Granted, it might cost more than a small amount to take the exam to get your license, but if you’re dedicated enough, you can quickly start within a year since you applied.
Final Thoughts
Being your own boss doesn’t have to be a dream any longer. With these seven career ideas, you can easily turn that into a reality and start building your own career from there.