Working online?

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So several times over in the past few years of my pretty fruitless job searching, I have seen videos or ads or other promotional material about working online.

I'm thinking about this again because I love to travel... I've travelled over the United States to Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland and loved it. Unfortunately it's also cost me anywhere from $500-$1000 to do it each time. This was only possible due to me keeping a cashier job at my local Safeway (which I explained in my intro thread I lost last month due to my last trip to San Fran and Reno)

My main interests are transportation and travel, particularly that of public mass transit and trains. Ask me anything about any bus in my local area (or areas I've travelled to) and I could tell you what year it was built, the engine it has, transmission, possibly if it's a used bus from somewhere else... that's my strongest point. I've also found I have skills for navigation, so if someone is looking to go somewhere in my hometown I could tell them what buses to take to get there... of course this is somewhat redundant now because most people have smartphones and access to Google who can do the same thing in ten seconds or less.

I don't mind customer service work... except that I have the problem that I don't like to change my plans once they're already finalized (not good for most fixed-location employers) and I'm not comfortable with selling/promoting products. As a cashier it wasn't too bad selling products as I could see what I was selling and sometimes the customers were very pleasant. I'm not usually one to make small talk, but I've found that I can adapt to a certain extent.

I'll also point out I have a monetized youtube channel, which a few years ago started out earning about $40/month. Now it's steadily climbed up to around $80 a month which is a good supplementary income, but it's not where I'd like it to be. I've heard of others making thousands of dollars every month, and generally I'd like to know just any potential jobs or careers that do not require you to promote or sell anything in order to achieve such a goal.

Have you considered a career as a driver? It could be delivery, limousine, bus, truck, etc.

I don't understand...you want an online job that involves your knowledge about travel, or you want an online job so you don't have to be at a worksite on a regular basis?

Whether or not you can profit from online work depends on your skillset...sites like odesk.com and elance.com could work if you have writing, programming, engineering, or graphic design skills.

If you have a disability, NTI might be able to help you with home-based work. I think most of the jobs involve using the phone.
http://www.nticentral.org/

If you have academic skills, especially in math or science, there is online tutoring. Tutor.com is one, but there are others.

and this page has some more links:
http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/findaworkathomejob/

I have... unfortunately the BC Driver's license runs differently to other licenses in North America. I would need at least a Class 4 (shuttle bus, limousine, taxi) which you need a Class 5 (standard driver's license) to even apply for. Class 2 is for coaches and transit buses (again you need a Class 5 before you can take the test) and a Class 1 is for semi-trucks.
The problem with this is I only have a Class 7 (Novice drivers' license) which I am restricted to until I can take my Class 5 test in August.

The BC Driver's licenses go as such:
1. (Take the written test to get your 'L' license) - expires after two years.
2. (Take the road test to get your 'N' license after at least one year as an 'L' driver) - expires after five years. (Where I'm at)
3. (Take the 2nd road test to get your Class 5 after at least two years as an 'N' driver) - doesn't expire.
4. (Take the course for a Class 4, 2 or 1 license) - costs anywhere from $2,000 - $3,000.

I most likely will apply to be a city bus driver, but right now it's beyond my reach.

I'm impressed by those who actually do make money from their You Tube channels -- if I may ask, what kind of content do you have on yours? I have an animal videos channel but traffic is low, and although my clips are monetized, I don't think they are every going to get into the pennies level, let alone double or quadruple figures!

I too would be interested in anything online that could become an income (within reason).

My youtube content is mostly transportation... compilation videos of trains and buses. I do hope to do some more informative videos and some videos that voice my opinions on future transportation projects (California High Speed Rail, other US High Speed Rail, Eurostar etc). Oddly enough my most viewed videos are a random level crossing compilation video (Wharf Road AHB), following are compilation videos of Vancouver Skytrains in action from 2012, and Level Crossings in the UK.

Last edited by FriendlyFox on 03 May 2014, 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

That's very interesting, there must be a large demographic of people who are into transportation! Good for you, that's pretty cool that the monetization has definitely started and is growing.