If you’re toying with the idea of a career change but still need to keep working in your current 9 to 5 to pay the bills while you get qualified, you may be looking for a career path where you can get work-ready by completing a qualification at your own pace from home.
Online study is continuing to grow in popularity because of its flexibility to fit in with the demands of working life, but if you’re not sure exactly what you’d like to get qualified in, here are five career paths that may be worth considering.
- Real estate agent
If you have the gift of the gab and a keen interest in the property market, a career as a real estate agent could be a great fit.
While the qualification requirements work in the industry will change from state to state, you can generally get started by completing a real estate short course that allows you to take offers from buyers and administer real estate contracts within a matter of only weeks. Then if you want to take your career to the next level, you can consider completing a longer real estate agent or auctioneers’ qualification that will set you up to perform the full spectrum of real estate roles.
- Bookkeeper
If you want a career where you can not only get qualified from the comfort of your own home but also potentially work from home, a career as a bookkeeper could be for you.
It’s relatively quick and easy to get qualified for entry-level roles by completing a short course, and it will also open doors to further study pathways if you want to further refine your skills.
- Medical receptionist
Wish you’d followed the dream of a career in the health industry but think you’ve left your run too late? Not necessarily.
If you have good administrative skills but don’t have any skills that are specific to the health industry, completing a course in medical terminology could be the thing that sets you up to secure a job as a medical receptionist. With growing demand for health services across the board, there are plenty of job opportunities in the field and you never know where your qualification could lead you.
- Personal trainer
If you consider yourself a people-person, hate being chained to a desk and have a passion for fitness, there’s a good chance you’ll love a career as a personal trainer.
There are plenty of personal training courses online which allow you to get qualified while working at your own pace, at times that suit you. Once qualified, you’ll be able to start working in gyms or even start your own business running private personal training sessions or group fitness classes. Most courses will also lead on to other learning pathways which can lead to roles in fields like sports marketing or coaching.
- Bar tender
Love the nightlife and want to escape the routine of the dreaded 9 to 5? What about a career bar tending?
Possibly one of the easiest industries to break into, by obtaining Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification you’ll be able to start applying to work in a range of restaurants, bars or clubs within a matter of only a few weeks.