Seven Part-Time Jobs with Full-Time Pay

By Alida Moore, PayScale.com

If you often feel on top of things at work, but hopelessly behind at home, you’re not alone. Work-life balance -- and how to achieve it and maintain it -- is a top concern for many workers, says Katie Bardaro, lead analyst at online salary database PayScale.com. “People often believe that success at work means sacrificing a personal life,” she says.

But does it have to be that way? Not necessarily if you choose a profession that allows you to earn a decent income without working too many hours. In fact, in some jobs, you can work part time and still earn more than the national median full-time salary of $39,500.

There is a catch, of course. “You can’t expect to just walk into these jobs and cut your hours immediately,” Bardaro says. “It takes certain levels of education -- as well as diligence and hard work -- to reach this professional level.”

Still, consider one of these seven occupations in which you can earn more than $40,000 annually while working just 20 hours a week. Your commitment to pursuing one of these professions now could pay off later, in both time and money.

Art Director
Typical Median Annual Pay: $47,600
Are you a conceptual thinker who enjoys collaborating with other creative people and seeing the creative process through -- from inception to finished product? You might enjoy a career in art direction, where you can set the artistic vision for projects in a variety of industries, including game design and marketing. An associate’s degree is the minimum level of education needed to get started, but a bachelor’s degree is more typical.

Find art director jobs.

Veterinarian
Typical Median Annual Pay: $46,700

This job requires a significant up-front commitment. To become a veterinarian, you’ll need a doctorate of veterinary medicine, which typically takes four years to complete. But if you enjoy working with animals, you could do well in this career. Many vets go into practice for themselves, which allows them to set their own hours.

Find veterinarian jobs.

Acupuncturist
Typical Median Annual Pay: $44,200

If you aren’t put off by needles and you fancy yourself a healer, consider becoming an acupuncturist. Based on the ancient Chinese practice of correcting imbalances in the body’s “chi,” or energy flow, acupuncture has become widely embraced in Western culture. Acupuncturists hold master’s degrees.

Find acupuncturist jobs.

Information Technology Consultant
Typical Median Annual Pay: $41,700

Can you speak the language of computer technology and think strategically? You might find a satisfying career as an IT consultant. A bachelor’s degree will get you started. With companies needing expert help with data storage, security, networking, upgrades and other aspects of their technology operations, this field boasts plenty of job security.

Find IT consultant jobs.

Master Plumber
Typical Median Annual Pay: $41,600

When a plumbing emergency occurs, the plumber is every panicked person’s best friend. Aside from feeling good about helping people, you could have the freedom to set limited hours for yourself. Most master plumbers hold associate’s degrees and must complete an apprenticeship program.

Find plumber jobs.

Marriage/Family Therapist
Typical Median Annual Pay: $41,200

If you’ve ever felt more drawn to an arguing couple than put off, you might have a future as a marriage/family therapist. Most family therapists hold master’s degrees, so this job requires an investment in your education.

Find marriage/family therapist jobs.

Physical Therapist
Typical Median Annual Pay: $40,800

Would you like to help someone walk with a prosthetic for the first time or stand up straighter after back surgery? If you’re fascinated by health and enjoy assisting people with physical recovery, look into becoming a physical therapist. You could enjoy a flexible schedule in this rewarding field. Physical therapists are required to have a postgraduate professional degree.

Find physical therapist jobs.

Source: All salary data provided by online salary database PayScale.com. Salaries listed are annual median salaries for workers with five to 15 years of experience working 20 hours per week and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

By Alida Moore, PayScale.com

If you often feel on top of things at work, but hopelessly behind at home, you’re not alone. Work-life balance -- and how to achieve it and maintain it -- is a top concern for many workers

Extraordinary People Stand for Something!

Leadership Series #7: 

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE STAND FOR SOMETHING AND BECOME CHANGE AGENTS!

One of the greatest human beings to have walked the face of the earth in Mohammed Ali, the Greatest Athlete of all times!

"In 1967, three years after Mohammed Ali had won the World Heavyweight Championship, he publicly refused to be conscripted into the U.S. military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War – "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong... No Vietcong ever called me nigger" – one of the more telling remarks of the era.  Widespread protests against the Vietnam War had not yet begun, but with that one phrase, Ali articulated the reason to oppose the war for a generation of young Americans, and his words served as a touchstone for the racial and anti-war upheavals that would rock the 60's. Ali's example inspired Martin Luther King Jr. – who had been reluctant to alienate the Johnson Administration and its support of the civil rights agenda – to voice his own opposition to the war for the first time. Ali would then be arrested and found guilty on draft evasion charges, stripped of his boxing title, and his boxing license, was suspended. He was not imprisoned, but did not fight again for nearly four years while his appeal worked its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was eventually successful. Ali would go on-to become the first and only, three-time Lineal World Heavyweight Champion. In 1999, Ali was crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Sports Personality of the Century" by the BBC. Ali had brought beauty and grace to the most uncompromising of sports and through the wonderful excesses of skill and character, he had become the most famous athlete in the world".

Bill and Melinda Gates, the richest couple on earth, a few years ago gave themselves to eradicating Polio, Malaria and poverty in Africa. They have invested Billions of dollars to see to the eradication of a disease that affects only Africans. Mo Ibrahim, the richest African, is helping to redefine governance in Africa.

Stand for something, for you can save lives, give hope and bring transformation to generations now and even those yet unborn.

Stand for something, you will inspire a generation!

Bankole Olubamise, August 21, 2012.

Extraordinary People Solve Problems!

     Leadership Series #6: EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE SOLVE PROBLEMS.

The greatest key to your leadership potential is the problems you help find solutions to in life. If you want to secure a legacy solve problems. If you think about it, this world is actually about solving problems!  The restaurant solves the problem of hunger; the carmaker solves the problem of transport! One of the greatest challenge of African ‘leaders’ is that they don’t want to solve the problems that confronts the continent!

After the Second World War in 1946, Europe was totally devastated, everything was upside down, and nations were at their lowest ebb in human history! Then steps in an extraordinary person! George C. Marshal, Secretary of State of the United States of America, at a speech in Harvard University in June 1947 ‘spoke of the urgent need to help the European recovery’. By June 5, 1947, the framework of the Marshall plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) designed by William L. Clayton and George F. Kennan of the State Department was in place. “The plan was in operation for four years beginning from April 1948. The goals were to rebuild a war devastated region, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, and make Europe prosperous again”. The plan cost the US taxpayers US$13b in economic and technical assistance to instil in Europeans a sense of hope and self-reliance, today Europe is a flourishing continent! That is problem solving at its best.

Great Leaders solve great insurmountable problems and move human history forward. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, as Prime Minister in 1959 inherited a poor, ‘relatively underdeveloped colonial outpost with no natural resources and transformed his city/state into a “First World” Asian Tiger. He is one of the most influential political figures in Southeast Asia’! His title “Minister Mentor” is very instructive. He is one of the longest serving Ministers in human history! A problem solve per excellence!

What problem do you see in and around you that needs solution-take a deep look, there are countless problems calling for ordinary men and women to step in and become extraordinary! Will you take the challenge, today and do something?

Bankole Olubamise, Aug 17, 2012.

Extraordinary People Overcome DISCOURAGEMENT!

Leadership Series #5: 

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT

Joseph was a comely and lovely child, loved by his parents and adored, but despised by his brothers out of jealousy. Sold into slavery at age 17, un-successfully seduced and sexually harassed by his master’s wife, wrongly and unjustly sent to jail for his refusal to practice the sexual exploitation and adultery that was pervasive in his city. Kept in the dungeon where he became counsellor to everybody else without counsel himself! He helped those who forgot to remember him for the good he did to them. For over 20 years, Joseph suffered innocently, but one night made all the difference, he became the Prime Minister of his country, with absolute powers covering the then known world!

This story is a true story and a classic that you can overcome discouragement, no matter from what quarter it comes from-close family, employer, friends etc. Discouragement is the Devil’s advocate against achieving your vision and chosen goals in life. If it were possible, I would say it, but it is not possible that in life you will not face discouragement, but you MUST overcome them as they come just as Joseph did many years ago!

Sometime our goals gets us into trouble, we fail in that project we have invested so much and think about quitting, my friends, when you think it’s time to quit, that is when it’s time to go to the next level. When discouraged always LOOK UP! Woe is he that put his trust in man, for the arm of flesh will fail you. Lift up your head today and look up, draw strength from the Creator of the Universe, He Will Never Let You Fail.

Gather good materials about extraordinary people in your field and be encouraged by their Joseph story. Kick yourself up from the dirt of broken dreams, re-adjust your focus and march forward!!!

Bankole Olubamise, August 15^th 2012.

Extraordinary People are PERSISTENT!

Leadership Series #4: EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE ARE PERSISTENT!

Perhaps the greatest testimony of a persistent persons remain Abraham Lincoln, 16^th President of the United States of America. “He successfully led his country through its greatest constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War-preserving the Union while ending slavery, and promoting economic and financial modernization. Reared in a poor family on the western frontier, Lincoln was self-educated…each time a general failed, Lincoln substituted another until finally Grant (Ullyses S. Grant) succeeded in 1865 to win the war…His Gettysburg Address of 1863 became the most quoted speech in American history…Lincoln has been consistently ranked by scholars and public as one of the three greatest U.S. presidents.” Whao! For a man who lost many elections before he finally made it as the 16^th President of the United States! He stood against slavery until slavery crumbled in the US, he believed in the Unity of his country in the face of secessionists everywhere and won the Civil War. That’s persistence!

I love the following two quotes about persistence:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” - Calvin Coolidge

“Too many of us wait to do the perfect thing, with the result we do nothing. The way to get ahead is to start now. While many of us are waiting until conditions are “just right” before we go ahead, others are stumbling along, fortunately ignorant of the dangers that beset them. By the time we are, in our superior wisdom, decided to make a start, we discover that those who have gone fearlessly on before, have, in their blundering way, travelled a considerable distance. If you start now, you will know a lot next year that you don’t know now, and that you will not know next year, if you wait.”- The William Feather Magazine

You and I would do well if we heed these quotes. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. It’s the key to becoming an extraordinary person!

Bankole Olubamise, Aug 14, 2012

Extraordinary People Bend Reality!

Leadership Series #3: EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE DEFY REALITY!

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps at the Lincoln memorial in Washington, D.C. and delivered a speech to more than 250,000 people.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character…” The “I have a dream speech” defied the reality of Dr Martin’s day, where blacks were considered second and third class citizens of America!  That speech defied the status quo and changed history. Today a Black man is the President of the United States!

Extraordinary people defy reality and change history of their family, their community and their nation. Sir Edmund Hilary became the conqueror of Mount Everest because he defied the reality that many have died trying. The American Astronauts defied reality when the landed on the moon. Their first steps became a giant leap for mankind.

Only extraordinary people take one step and history is changed forever. No single Olympian has ever defended the 100 and 200 meters record, but Usain Bolt of Jamaica defied reality and became a living legend! When you defy reality of your birth, circumstances of your village and the negative news about your people, culture and nation, history will bow to you. Today I challenge you to be an extraordinary person, defy your reality and change history!

Bankole Olubamise, 11 Aug, 2012.

Extraordinary People are FOCUSED ON GOALS

 Leadership Series #2: EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE ARE FOCUSED ON GOALS!

'Success is goals, and all else is commentary'. All successful people are intensely goal oriented. They know what they want and they are focused single-mindedly on achieving it, every single day! Says Brian Tracy, one of the top motivational speakers of this generation.

Why not he should know! He left school at 18 without graduating. His first job was as a dishwasher in a small hotel. From there he moved to washing cars, then floors,  becoming a janitor, then to sawmills, dug wells, worked on farm and ranches. He graduated to construction  labourer on tall buildings and later itinerant farm labourer during harvest sleeping in barns and eating from the farmers family. But one day, he took out a piece of paper and wrote down an outrageous goal for himself-to earn $1,000 per month in selling door-to-door and office-to-office. 30 days later, his life changed! Within eighteen months he moved from worrying about his next meal to “walking around with a pocket full of $20 bills”.

GOALS set up your life to succeed. To be a great leader, you must be focused on your goals in life. Having goals-daily, weekly, monthly and yearly helps you to focus your life’s energy system. Goals help you to take control of your life, rather than others running your life for you. “The regular and systematic practice of goal-setting will take you from poverty to prosperity, from frustration to fulfilment, from underachievement to success to and satisfaction” says Brian Tracy in his book, Goals: How to Get Everything You Want –Faster than You Thought Possible.

As an extraordinary leader your eyes must be on your VISION as we said in the first series. To achieve that vision you need to set and focus on daily, weekly and monthly goals that will take you there.  To be focused means to be single-minded about something or let me show you a mnemonics of FOCUS:

Following carefully established patterns and principles

Overcoming subtle distractions

Culturally relevant without compromise

Using time strategically and judiciously

Seeking God’s supernatural empowerment.

Assignment: Today as you rise up, get a notepad; write down your goals for today, next week and month. Let it guide your day. Focus on those goals no matter what they are, you will achieve more with goals than without. Practice this daily for the next month and your life will take a new dimension!

 Bankole Olubamise, Aug 10, 2012.