Web Designer
Working as a Web designer requires a good grasp of graphics and design. As a Web designer, you'll spend hours in front of a computer keyboard as you work with the day-to-day creation and maintenance of websites. A Web designer must be able to handle several tasks at once, have excellent communication skills, display the ability to work in a team on large projects, and be prompt in delivery of promised work.
Though there is no absolute minimum of education required to work as a Web designer, the business is highly competitive, so those with associate's degrees or higher in Web design or a related field will have better chances of advancement. Having a great deal of relevant work experience on your resume will help you stand out from the crowd, no matter the degree you hold.
Salary: Web designers made an average of $71,510 per year in 2007. (Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
Bookkeeper
The job of a bookkeeper is to keep track of financial records. This requires minute attention to detail, a good working knowledge of financial matters, and the ability to put it all together into reports and spreadsheets. Bookkeepers might also handle payroll, manage multiple accounts, order items, and generate invoices.
Bookkeepers must have a strong knowledge of computer software as well as an understanding of financial industries. Training on the job is essential to keep up with constantly changing laws and procedures. While a high school diploma is required for entry positions, some higher-paying jobs require an associate's degree in finance or accounting. Certification is not required, but is helpful for advancement.
Salary: $31,560 was the median salary a bookkeeper could expect in 2007.
Computer Programmer
Writing, testing, and maintaining computer programs is the primary job of the computer programmer. They are responsible for creating programs that instruct computers to perform a specific task. The exact nature of the work depends upon the employer. For instance, writing programs for air traffic controllers is very different from writing financial programs. Computer programmers must have sharp attention to detail, the ability to work with multiple programming languages, and the desire to see a job through from start to finish.
A bachelor's degree is required for the vast majority of computer programming positions, though an associate's degree might be enough for some entry-level jobs. Continuing education is required in order to keep up with new advances in computer technology.
Salary: Computer programmers made a median salary of $68,080 in 2007.
Customer Service Representative
Being a customer service representative requires good communication skills, the ability to think creatively, and a great deal of patience. Customer service representatives work as the point of contact between the customer and the company and are often asked to deal with complaints or resolve problems. Customer service representatives who work at home must be proficient with computers, have a dependable phone line and fax machine, and be knowledgeable about company products and procedures.
The competition for good customer service representatives is very strong, so although only a high school diploma is required for some positions, an associate's or bachelor's degree in sales and marketing is recommended. Speaking multiple languages is a plus.
Salary: $29,040 was the average take-home pay of a customer service representative in 2007.
Medical Transcriptionist
The job of medical transcriptionist involves a lot of listening and typing. Medical transcriptionists listen to doctor's notes on a headset and type out the information, editing for clarity when necessary. Their duties might include medical discharge orders, autopsy reports, referral letters, consultation notes, and the like. The medical transcriptionist must have a good working knowledge of medical jargon and the ability to convey information with the utmost accuracy.
To become a medical transcriptionist, an associate's degree or one-year diploma from a medical transcriptionist training program is recommended. Being familiar with medical jargon is a plus.
Salary: Medical transcriptionists brought home a salary of $31,250 per year in 2007.
While these jobs are traditionally office jobs, modern technology can allow you to perform all of these jobs from home. More companies are realizing the numerous benefits from allowing their employees to work from home. Education and career training is available for the jobs that will feed your desire to work from the comfort of your own home.
Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer, trained researcher, and published novelist who resides at the helm of Dauphin Freelance, a small company launched in 2007.
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