Remote jobs for those with college degrees have been on an upswing for several years, and now in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, professional remote jobs are quickly becoming the new normal. The reality is that for the class of 2020 and beyond, there are more opportunities to use your degree to get a remote job than ever before.
Working remotely lends itself to benefits like flexibility and minimal to no commute. Remote workers may also save money in the long run on things like gas, parking fees, professional clothing, childcare, and food. Remote or part-time remote workers are also doing their part to help the environment with a smaller global footprint.
So, what are some of the fastest-growing entry-level jobs with remote capacities you can snag with a college degree?
Here are a few remote jobs for recent college grads.
1. Financial Analyst
Average Starting Salary: $51,810/year
Average Median Salary: $85,660/year
Degrees: A bachelor’s degree in a finance-related major like accounting, statistics, economics, or other related fields.
Job Details: If you’re a numbers person, think about starting as a financial analyst. Banks, pension funds, insurance companies, and other businesses hire financial analysts. Your day-to-day tasks include accounting budgets, research market positions, sifting through data and financial statements, and suggesting business actions. Financial analysts can work in several fields including commercial banking, investment banking, real estate, insurance, wealth management, and accounting.
Travel Required: You may have to meet with associates or clients in person.
Job Outlook: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects a 6% rise in jobs for financial analysts between 2018 and 2028, as fast as average for all occupations.
2. Publicist
Average Starting Salary: $36,623/year
Average Median Salary: $61,150/year
Degrees: A bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, or other related fields. However public relations can be highly specified to industries. For example, if you studied computer science and have experience in “PR” you could do public relations work for technology companies.
Job Details: If you are good at relationship building and a skilled communicator, becoming a remote publicist could be a good fit for you. Many publicists work for agencies or brands directly, but if you can tap into your existing network, you could start your own freelance business remotely. You’ll manage marketing and branding for your clients in the press and on social media. Duties include event planning, executing PR campaigns, social media management, and facilitating media coverage through a network of cultivated journalistic contacts.
Travel Required: You may have to meet with associates or clients in person as well as attend events.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects a 6% rise in jobs for publicists between 2018 and 2028, as fast as the average for all occupations.
3. Loan Officer
Average Starting Salary: $43,696/year
Average Median Salary: $63,270/year
Degrees: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, economics, or other related fields. A license may also be required.
Job Details: Those of you who have a solid understanding of how loans work you may consider an entry-level job as a remote loan officer. As a loan officer, you can specialize in consumer, mortgage, or commercial loans and will work for banks, mortgage companies, or credit unions. Loan officers are one of the ways lenders make decisions about working with a borrower. They interview and evaluate loan applicants to assist them in securing the right loans. Communication, organization, and attention to detail are key.
Travel Required: Minimum to no travel required
Job Outlook: The BLS expects an 8% rise in jobs for loan officers between 2018 and 2028, faster than average for all occupations.
4. Marketing Coordinator
Average Starting Salary: $47,049/year
Average Median Salary: $135,900/year (includes median salary for marketing positions coordinators typically advance into)
Degrees: A bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, journalism, communications, or other related fields.
Job Details: For students who love marketing, managing teams, and strategic thinking, starting as a remote marketing coordinator could be right for you. As a marketing coordinator, you may work for a brand directly, at an advertising agency, or as a freelancer. You’ll oversee advertising campaigns across platforms, including print, web, design, and social media. You will conduct market research, produce promotional materials, and help shape the vision or mission for your company.
Travel Required: You may have to meet with associates or clients in person as well as attend marketing events you and your team set up.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects an 8% rise in jobs for marketers between 2018 and 2028, faster than average for all occupations.
5. Web Developer
Average Starting Salary: $52,876/year
Average Median Salary: $73,760/year
Degrees: An associate or bachelor’s degree in computer science or other related fields.
Job Details: If you’re good with a few different coding languages and love to problem solve, becoming a remote web developer can be just the role for you. Companies with e-commerce or robust websites often hire web developers to ensure their website offers the best functionality compared to the competition. You can work for a company directly, with a digital marketing agency, or freelance out your services. A web developer is primarily focused on how a website or web application appears, functions, and runs. You may create databases, e-commerce websites, or content websites. Web developers are creatives who can come up with solutions to problems and are willing to sit at the computer for long periods.
Travel Required: You may have to meet with associates or clients in person.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects a 13% rise in jobs for web developers between 2018 and 2028, faster than average for all occupations.
6. Interpreters and Translators
Average Starting Salary: $37,020/year
Average Median Salary: $51,830/year
Degree: A bachelor’s in at least one non-English language or native-level proficiency in English and another language.
Job Details: If you are fluent in more than one language, you’re a good candidate to become a remote interpreter or translator. Many companies need the skills of a translator such as hospitals, courtrooms, conference centers, schools, interpretation companies, and private organizations, but you can also freelance. Interpreters and translators’ main tasks are to translate written or verbal text from one language into another. Interpreters work with spoken language while translators work with text. Many people do both. Your day-to-day duties will depend on your employer, but you typically work alone and under tight deadlines.
Travel Required: Minimum to no travel required.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects a 19% rise in jobs for interpreters and translators between 2018 and 2028, faster than average for all occupations.
7. Software Engineer
Average Starting Salary: $67,080/year
Average Median Salary: $105,590/year
Degrees: A bachelor’s degree in information technology, software engineering, computer science, or other related fields.
Job Details: If you speak “code” and are a natural problem solver, you may be interested in becoming a remote software engineer. There are a variety of businesses in need of software engineers, from small tech firms to giant corporations. You can work for a company directly, digital solutions companies, or run your own business. You will create and develop, design, and install code that instructs computers and external software. You will also review and recommend systems and solutions, guiding companies through the implementation and usage and troubleshoot glitches.
Travel Required: You may have to meet with associates or clients in person.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects a 21% rise in jobs for software engineers between 2018 and 2028, faster than average for all occupations.
Bonus: Two More Remote Entry Level Jobs You Can Do Right Now
1. Graphic Designer
Average Starting Salary: $38,835/year
Average Median Salary: $52,110/year
Degrees: A bachelor’s degree in graphic design (and portfolio).
Job Details: Creatives who live and breathe design are perfect candidates to become graphic designers. Graphic designers can work for design agencies, brands, or run their own small businesses remotely. You’ll primarily work on branding like logos and advertisements, but your skills could also be used to create assets for websites and other marketing materials. In addition to a degree in graphic design, you will need to submit a strong portfolio of your work along with original sketches and ideas.
Travel Required: You may have to meet with associates or clients in person.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects a 3% rise in jobs for graphic designers jobs between 2018 and 2028, slower than average for all occupations.
2. Copywriter
Average Starting Salary: $40,125/year
Average Median Salary: $63,200/year
Degrees: A bachelor’s degree in communications, English, or other related fields. However, a lot of copywriter jobs are highly specified within specific industries. For example, if you earned a degree in biotechnology and are a great writer, you could be a copywriter for biotech businesses.
Job Details: If you have a knack for persuasive writing, think about becoming a remote junior copywriter. Copywriters can work for brands directly, with a marketing agency, or run their own business. You’ll be expected to write crisp, clean copy for brands’ landing pages, blogs, advertising companies, or email newsletters for promotional or informational services. Research is a big part of copywriting. Writers with specialties like healthcare, medical or financial, among others, are also in demand in niche industries. Generalist copywriters can write copy for social media or direct mail campaign text.
Travel Required: You may have to meet with associates or clients in person.
Job Outlook: The BLS expects a 0% rise in jobs for copywriters between 2018 and 2028, slower than average for all occupations.
