“So, how can we start working as a freelancer? Is there any platform where we have to register? Or should I start seeking work from my contacts?” I was bombarded with such questions from my cousin, who recently graduated as an architect.
While I was answering her queries, trying my best to guide her in the right direction, I couldn’t help but think about the time when I was in her place. People like me who were born in the 80s and early 90s had fewer major occupations to choose from – doctor, engineer, architect, and lawyer.
If we have to broadly categorize these into today’s types of occupation, it could be skill-based services and 9-5 employment.
But the Internet revolution in the past decade opened several new opportunities for today’s youth to choose their career from. Now, from doctor and engineer to media and marketing and from working for the reputed brands to starting your business, the options for occupation are endless.
But what is occupation? Let’s understand before we talk about the types of occupation you can consider as your profession.
What is occupation?
An occupation or a job is referred to an activity that you perform regularly in exchange for payment. In simple words, your occupation is an activity you regularly perform to earn your livelihood.
Now let’s understand the types of occupation that you can consider to make your career.
5 Major types of occupation
1.9-5 Working profession
One of the most popular, full-time employment comes with its perks and challenges. While you receive job and financial security better than other professions.
However, you also need to follow the terms and conditions the employers set. Now, let’s talk about perks. Full-time employment comes with benefits that include sick leaves, annual leaves, health insurance, and more.
2.Skilled-based services
We cannot do all things on our own. In such cases, most of us need to hire skill-based individuals, for example, doctors or lawyers. This occupation requires you to hone certain skills and detailed knowledge about the field of work. These job roles usually follow their own set of rules and timings.
When choosing such a profession, you should understand that the knowledge and skills you need can’t be inherited. You also need to consider the service motive here. Every profession offers service with a certain motive. Whether it’s a lawyer, doctor, or other professionals, they all work with certain service motives and earn their livelihood in the process.
3.Business
The government’s initiatives and the risk-taking abilities of millennials have opened opportunities for another profession. Business is an occupation where goods are produced and sold, and services are offered in return for money.
People make efforts and build businesses with one primary goal in mind, making a profit. However, in the past few years, businesses have become more conscious of society and the environment. Along with building a brand and making profit businesses have made giving back to society.
4.Freelancing
Freelancing is one such profession that lets you be your boss. If you choose to work as a freelancer, you offer your services in exchange for money. However, like full-time employment, there is no fixed income in freelancing rather, you get paid as per the services used or time is taken to perform some activity.
For example, freelance writing or journalism; there can be several motives to work as a freelancer, you cannot or don’t want to join full-time employment, you are working on building something of your own while streamlining your income source, or you want to know the market better and make connections before you take a further step in your career.
Whatever be your motive, being a freelancer helps you have more control of time invested in working for others while fulfilling your other commitments.
Now among all these occupations, how to decide which one is better for you? Well, SWOT analysis of self stands for Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats. This will help you choose the right occupation and help you build your dream career with clarity and confidence.