Online careers are for everyone – regardless of age and status.
This was the message of the forum titled “Rural Impact Sourcing and e-Commerce” conducted by the Information Communication Technology Office (ICT Office) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held last July 25, 2014 during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex.
Speaking before an audience largely composed of students and young professionals, OnlineJobsUniversity Founder and Chief Executive Officer Edgardo T. Reonico Jr. stated that online freelancing is neither a “seniors or a mommy career” nor a career for IT specialists alone. Instead, it requires a broad range of skillsets. “There are many things you can do [online] and there are markets for that,” Reonico reminded the audience.
Online jobs are Internet-based and work-from-home jobs. These include typing and creative jobs, transcription, web development, virtual assistant, writing and editing, game development, tutoring, telemarketing, technical support, and customer service, among a host of other work opportunities.
These jobs offer flexibility of time and portability of work since online freelancers can bring their laptops and tablets everywhere they go, even while on vacation at a beach resort, and do some work anywhere they are.
Reonico went on to enumerate people who made successful careers out of jobs available online including an acquaintance who has an online job using his knowledge in Excel. He also mentioned the trend involving veteran editors who are now offering writing services online and former call center workers who are now also into online freelancing mainly because it offers greater flexibility of time.
“Whether young or old, for as long as your hands can still handle it [the keyboard], then you can do online freelancing,” said Reonico. “And because you also offer services, you are also a business owner,” he added.
Reonico also stated that once an online freelancer gets a lot of projects, he can do outsourcing as well. Later in his talk, the young CEO of OnlineJobsUniversity which provides live seminars about online jobs, advised the participants to go look for skilled mentors who will guide them as they start embarking on an online career.
An annual event of the DOST, NSTW opened last July 24 and will run until July 28, 2014. It features an IT-BPM career talk on July 27, a robotics challenge on July 28, interactive exhibits, inventions, innovations, talks, product displays, product launchings, and the National Invention Contest and Exhibit awarding ceremony on July 27, among others. Admission is free. For more inquiries, log on to http://nstw.dost.gov.ph (S&T Media Service)
