5 Jobs To Advance Your Career and Make Extra Money

These days, it seems as though people are always complaining about money – not having enough money, not being able to save, not being to find a well-paying job, not being able to effectively plan pensions and retirement – something or the other, where the root cause is a lack of money.

It’s true, the cost of living has significantly increased since our parents’ generation and the workplace has completely changed character. Still, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any jobs out there – today, it is more a matter of having the right skills to suit the jobs that are out there.

We selected 5 areas of opportunities for you. If you have them as your day job or career, you can achieve career growth faster while commanding high salaries throughout. At the same time, if you take up these areas/jobs as a part-time indulgence, you are sure to earn good money.

For example, if you are familiar with coding, you can take up freelance projects and at a certain stage, you can even command $100-$200 per hour of work. Similarly, being a part-time car mechanic you can command anywhere between $50-$100 per hour.

Acquiring these skills may help you make that much-needed extra cash, and ultimately, secure yourself a better future. But do remember that basic sets of skills to grow in your career remains same whatever career path you choose.

5 Jobs To Advance Your Career/Make Extra Money

1. Medical Assisting

BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) forecasts that growth in the medical assistance field is much higher than average for all other occupations. This makes sense, considering the general population growth and the rise in healthcare issues all around the world.

Since the outpatient sector is expanding, medical assistants are in demand to provide physical and administrative support to doctors and nurses.

Medical assisting is a skill that can be learned online, and unlike becoming a doctor, doesn’t need a higher education degree. The average starting pay for medical assistants was around $35,000 a year in 2013, and it can only go up from there.

2. Coding

Learning to code, or “how to speak computers” is a skill that is being encouraged in people of all ages. With business increasingly turning to technology there is a need for young coders worldwide. In fact, the UK has added coding to the core curriculum since September 2014, to bridge the skills gap.

Technical acumen and knowledge about computers are necessary to succeed in any IT-based career, or in a business that relies heavily on IT. That being said, learning to code is a skill that will hold you in good stead as we technologically advance as nations.

Several websites offer free basic introductory coding courses, and there are a number of interactive resources online that will get you acquainted with the same.

Having to code in your skill set definitely gives you a career advantage and thus money-making opportunities, whether it be while you are looking to start a new career, switch jobs, or even freelance your coding skills in your free time.

You can even expand your knowledge on coding to jump into computers and app development, the software engineer jobs are often lucrative and provide a steady stream of income as technology keeps on innovating.

3. Digital Marketing

For some of the same reason as stated above, the digital marketing industry is booming like never before. As businesses transfer their advertising and marketing budgets to the web, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Content Marketing and Social Media Marketing have become a top priority.

More than ever, businesses need people who understand the online marketing landscape to aid their digital campaigns. Learning about at least one of these areas within digital marketing is a valuable skill, and will make you an asset in terms of advancing your career.

Similar to coding, freelancing your SEO skills as well will enable you to take on many side projects that will allow you to make some extra money.

4. Foreign Languages

Fluency in a foreign language is a skill that stands out on any resume. Furthermore, the process of learning a foreign language can be quite enjoyable. Knowing how to communicate in languages other than your own opens up many opportunities in terms of international travel and employment.

Leveraging this skill allows you to really immerse yourself in a new culture, meet many people and expand your social.

In today’s interconnected world, it’s fair to say that knowing a foreign language in its entirety is a precious skill to possess.

5. Mechanics (and other Repair Work)

Considering we are a car-driven society, it should come as no surprise that auto mechanics are in high demand. According to AAA, the average American spends around $9,150 on car-related costs.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you drop everything and rush into becoming a mechanic (though if you are intrigued, mechanics make an average of $37,000 a year). But, it may be worthwhile to reconsider your knowledge of cars.

Learning about basic vehicle hacks, including everything from how to fix a leak to fuel efficiency, are great skills in terms of saving money. In simple terms, lesser trips to the mechanic equal more money for you. In this way, learning how to repair household items, fix to plumb or know basic electrical knowledge is very useful skills to have.

All these are not only in-demand skills today; they are also life skills, and ones that will keep giving.

Remember, times are changing and it’s your job to keep up with the tide. While income is getting harder and harder to come by, there’s no shortage of skills that will enable you to make and save a little more.

Hopefully, these five skills will give you some ideas about what you can do to advance your career, make a little extra money, or in the best case situation – do both!