| "You must have a career plan before you go out into | | | | websites, writing content or something entirely |
| this big world of ours," reinforced the professor | | | | different? If you don't settle in with something you like |
| delivering the commencement address during | | | | to do, your telecommuting career won't last long. |
| graduation! High school and college guidance | | | | Next determine if you can make any money working |
| counselors repeatedly tell students of the importance | | | | in your chosen area. Can your family budget support |
| of having a career plan. | | | | your start up costs? You should have a website, |
| It is important to note that career plans aren't just for | | | | business cards and may need to pay for some initial |
| those who work offline. Telecommuters should have | | | | advertising. |
| one also. Before you can map out your career plan, | | | | Can your family budget survive the initial lean months? |
| you need to understand career plans. | | | | If not, you will have to work your new telecommuting |
| Consider a career plan akin to planning your next | | | | job search and any jobs you are hired to do while you |
| vacation. You need to decide where you will go, in | | | | are still employed outside the home. Once your |
| which mode of transportation you will travel, determine | | | | at-home telecommuting income stabilizes, then you can |
| the best route to take and then how to ensure you | | | | submit your letter of resignation and leave behind the |
| have a good time once you arrive. | | | | daily commute to work. |
| Spontaneously deciding one Friday night that you will | | | | Once you've reviewed your destination, determined |
| not ever again return to your job because you want to | | | | where you're going and how you will get there, you're |
| telecommute is not a recommended course of action. | | | | off to a good start. Just make sure you have enough |
| The first decision you have to make is deciding what | | | | "traveler's checks" in case of an emergency. Once |
| kind of work you want to spend your time doing. | | | | you have thoroughly examined your road map -- your |
| Do you like working with numbers, databases, | | | | career plan, then hang on and enjoy the ride! |
| marketing collateral, search engine optimization, building | | | | |