Posted March 8th, 2016
By Kris Powers
A portable career is any career you can take with you no matter where you go. Portable careers are perfect for those who either have to move frequently (i.e. Military spouses) or for those who want to move around the world without worrying about their career. Having a portable career helps you maintain a professional identity that you can take with you, rather than having to start over in a new field every time you relocate.
Portable careers have many things in common:
- They often involve high demand services or skill sets. Careers in education, technology, training, and healthcare are often portable because the demand for services is high.
- Portable careers are not based on specific credentials or degrees that may not be recognized worldwide. Law degrees and medical degrees are examples of credentials that are not readily accepted everywhere.
- These types of careers do not limit a person to a single geographic area or market. In other words, portable careers can include providing services virtually or selling products online.
- Many times, knowledge of and comfort with technology and online business and communication tools is required.
These are just some of the careers that you can take with you, wherever you go:
- Interior designer
- Photographer
- Online event organizer
- Online storefront owner
- Social media specialist
- Online researcher
- Web designer
- Computer programmer
- Software Developer
- Information Security Analyst
- IT Service and Support
- Virtual assistant
- Online Business Manager/Project Manager
- Nutritionist
- Consultant/Coach
- Massage Therapist/Aromatherapy Specialist
- Writer, Editor or Publisher
- Copywriter
- Teacher
- Interpreter and Translator
When moving to a new area, there are steps you can take to assist with networking and establishing yourself in your profession. In a recent interview with MilitarySpouse.com, Sherrill Curtis, a Senior Certified Professional for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) shared the following recommendations:
- Join the professional organization for your field,
- Research meet-ups in your area to connect with others who have similar interests, both personal and professional,
- Attend town hall-type meetings to familiarize yourself with what happens in the area,
- Connect with the local chamber of commerce to find out who the top employers are, and
- If you are a military spouse, set up an appointment to meet with the local veterans’ representative at the Department of Labor office.
Picking up and starting over somewhere new can be challenging. Choosing a career that is portable can make earning a living in that new location a little bit easier. Ed4Career offers affordable career training for many portable careers. Sign up today and get one step closer to a flexible new career!
