1. Freelancer
Many location independent workers start as freelancers or transition into these roles later on. We’ve seen people who are freelance writers and designers, software developers and even freelance voice talent. That’s the great thing about being a freelancer in today’s world - you can find work in nearly any industry.
Why it works as a location independent career:Freelancers tend to be in charge of their own schedules, and can do their jobs from anywhere thanks to technology. Work and travel programs are a great way for freelancers to grow their professional networks and even potentially find new clientele.
2. Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are smart, savvy and often very scrappy. They have minds that were meant to challenge the status quo, which makes them perfect for a location independent lifestyle. No matter the industry - we’ve seen every iteration of entrepreneurship from online fitness moguls to cryptocurrency tycoons - business owners can find success while on a work and travel program.
Why it works as a location independent career: To put it simply, entrepreneurs don’t have to answer to anyone. They are their own bosses, and the ones who decide whether it makes sense to work outside of a traditional office.
3. Consultant
The title “consultant” can cover a lot of different bases, which is why it may be one of the more popular location independent careers. While, yes, some consultants are in the tech industry, we’ve seen others come in from the legal, marketing, and financial fields.
Why it works as a location independent career: Consultants do a lot of traveling even when they work in a traditional office, so it’s simple to see how location independence can fit into a consultant’s lifestyle. In fact, becoming a fully-remote employee can be a benefit for a consultant. Instead of travelling to and from a home base whenever they need to meet with a client, they can move from location to location, using their time effectively and saving themselves from jet lag.
4. Accountant
Today’s accountants have a unique opportunity to embrace location independence as much of their work can be done online. Whether you’re a personal finance expert, or the manager of a global account, accountants of all types can make a remote lifestyle work for them.
Why it works as a location independent career: Gone are the days of accountants manually balancing credits and debits. The finance sector has embraced the digital age, making many traditional accounting offices obsolete. Accountants can manage their clients’ finances through online systems and, when applicable, meet with them over a video call.
5. Teacher
Why it works as a location independent career: Teachers are no longer confined to working within the four walls of a classic educational institution. Although teachers do not have as much flexibility to determine their own schedules as other positions on this list, they can still enjoy the benefits that come from working from inspiring places around the world. Technology has advanced so much within the past few decades that educators can now not only teach their students effectively over the internet, but they can also maintain an emotional connection with their pupils through face-to-face interactions over video calls.
Though many teaching positions are still based in a classroom, there are a few different kinds of education-based roles that can be done remotely. For example, online K-12 schools are becoming mainstream and there are many online ESL educator openings available.
6. Business Development Manager
Their main responsibilities are to locate and lock-in new clients for whatever organization that they work for, and they typically do their jobs on an individual basis. Because of the relationship-building that needs to occur to secure these major business partnerships, their jobs not only require a healthy dose of self-motivation, but the ability to travel to wherever potential clients are.
Why it works as a location independent career: Business development managers need to travel out of necessity. Why not make it an integral part of your lifestyle? In fact, becoming location-independent can even help business development managers fast track their success.
7. Software Developer
Software developers are some of the OG remote workers. Because they are masters in coding, troubleshooting and technical thinking, software developers have seemingly always found a way to work where they are most creative and productive. As they create new programs and systems for their clients, they are also creating new processes and potential for their lives.
Why it works as a location independent career: We’ll make this one simple: software developers can do 99% of their work online, from anywhere. Excluding the occasional meeting to determine project’s goals and pain points, software developers can work independently to create a final product.
8. Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives make a living by listening to other people’s problems and providing them with the necessary solutions. They are peacemakers and creative thinkers, willing to do whatever it takes to make a customer satisfied. Often, customer service representatives are relegated to working in call centers filled with others but, with the evolution of new communication technology, they now have the freedom to determine their place of work. For a job that requires so much energy and compassion, why shouldn’t customer service representatives be able to work from a place that gives them joy?
Why it works as a location independent career: Much of a customer service representatives’ responsibilities fall under communication. Whether they are experts in digital communication via software like Zendesk or Drift, or are focused on phone or video calls, these employees have a great case for working remotely.
9. Content Creator
A content creator could be someone who writes blog posts, interviews people on a podcast, takes photographs, shoots video... the list goes on and on. These people are usually wildly creative and often find working in a corporate environment to be stifling.
Why it works as a location independent career: Content creators are prime prospects for location independence as they often find it difficult to can’t do their jobs to the fullest extent in an office environment. For example, a photographer will need to scout locations and find the perfect backdrops for their shots. A podcaster will need a soundproof studio and a writer will need to work from wherever they feel most inspired. Content creators often have to travel to their interview subjects or on-location job sites.
10. Graphic Designer
Many designers use their skills to break into user experience design, while others venture into social media, website, or mobile application design. Whatever the case, there is a key factor to this job that makes it ideal for location independent living: the word ‘graphic’.
Why it works as a location independent career: Graphic designers create many (if not all) of their visually appealing projects on a computer or a tablet. They are not beholden to traditional studios or workspaces in order to do their jobs successfully. In fact, the only aspect of a graphic designer’s position that would normally require them to commute would be meetings with client teams, or meetings with internal marketing team to discuss a proposed design.
11. Marketing Manager/Social Media Manager
These messaging and visual gurus are in charge of teams within their organization that create consumer-facing marketing materials. Although though their influence stretches to nearly every medium, marketing managers and social media managers can certainly become location independent and do their jobs from the road.
Why it works as a location independent career: So much of what marketing and social media managers do can be done online. They are in charge of coordinating a team in order to create a desired result for the company, and much of that communication and organization takes place over email or instant messaging applications.
