Career Thrive

ALTERNATIVES TO THE 9-5 JOB IF SITTING AT A DESK ALL DAY ISN’T YOUR THING

Going to work never looked so good.

Most of us have to work to live, but many of us don’t like the feeling of being at a desk all day long. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities out there that will allow us to be active and/or exercise our creativity, and get paid for it too!

If you already have a job, these are also great opportunities to make some supplemental income. Read on for a few ideas.

ON-DEMAND SERVICES

The digital age has enabled people to fetch a car and get groceries and meals delivered at the touch of a button. Companies like Lyft, Postmates, and Instacart not only make these services a reality for customers, but also for contractors looking to make some money on their own time. The on-demand service industry continues to grow, so if you’re up for driving and/or picking up and delivering food, it’s always a good time to do so.

ETSY

If you’re bitten by the creative bug and have art and crafts to sell, opening up your own Etsy shop is a great way to make a profit. You can sell anything from apparel and candles to stationery and party decorations. What a way to make your mark on the world, and some cash too!

PET SITTING/DOG WALKING

Love animals? Make some furry friends by pet sitting and/or dog-walking. Use Craigslist and Indeed to research any openings at your local doggy daycares, pet hotels, and dog walking (Yes, they all exist!). Also, register on sites like Rover and Wag for opportunities. Bonus: If you don’t have any pets of your own but adore animals, you’ll love being around other people’s pets as part of your daily routine!

NETWORK MARKETING

You definitely have a Facebook friend or two who’s constantly posting about the skin care products or makeup they’re selling. Sometimes they’ll even send out calls-to-action to join their team. Like it or not, direct sales is a successful $30 billion industry, and that’s only as of 2013. Its biggest champions especially love the freedom of setting their own hours and working from home. So the next time you see that Facebook friend posting about their products and you’re interested in them, it won’t hurt to find out a little more about how the company could fit into your life. A few worth checking out include Rodan + Fields, LuLaRoe, and Younique.

BARTENDING

If you’re the friend in the group always mixing up the drinks at parties and get-togethers, you may want to consider making it a paid gig. While taking courses can be useful, you’re better off learning on-the-job. Cosmopolitan suggests that you may start off as a barback if you haven’t bartended professionally before, but that’s one way to get some training. And once you get behind the bar, you’ll be raking in those tips!

TEACHING CLASSES

Are you a certified yoga instructor? Do you know a foreign language? Do you have a knack for baking gourmet desserts? Well, you can turn your expertise and passions into money by teaching your crafts to others! If fitness is your thing, keep an eye out for instructor/trainer openings at your local studios and gyms. For everything else, looking at your city’s Parks and Recreation department is a good place to start. Verlocal is also an excellent resource.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT / SPORTS INDUSTRIES

Concert venues, theaters, and stadiums are always looking for people like you! There is a continuous need for ushers, security, and ticket/concession sale representatives. If you prefer to work behind-the-scenes, find out if there are marketing opportunities available. Depending on your role, you may even catch a glimpse of the action. Imagine being amongst the audience at a sold-out Beyonce show and not needing a ticket—are you intrigued now?!

What are some of your suggestions and experiences? Tag a vina and comment below! 

(Featured Image via Refinery29

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