David

[Ange1]

Following on from Steph's interesting post about whether we work; does anyone work from home?!

 

If so, what do you do?

 

Also has anyone tried those home courses where you can train from home and have a tutor allocated and certificate at the end?!

 

What course did you do and has it enabled you to use it as a career?

 

Sorry all the questions, I need to change my job (company is financial difficulty)

 

I just wondered whether now is the time to make a big change in career and I would love to work from home.

 

Thanks

[Treekeeper]

I used to work from home exclusively. You need to discipline yourself and do whatever work you set to do, make realistic targets for yourself and ensure you take meal drink forum breaks etc.

 

I always got a lot more done but could still make time for myself.

 

That's all going to change soon because I am going back into an office setting. Not too bad though 'cause i'll be the Boss

[Ana's flock]

I work mainly from home, (when designing and producing training materials), although delivery can take me anywhere in the world... usually UK though.

 

I tried doing a long distance course, but it was difficult for me as at the time I had a lot of work helping husband and couldn't dedicate enough time to doing the assignments.

 

Husband has been working on his PhD part time for the last 10 years. This year is the 'now or never' - I hope he finishes it. He's always going on about it, and how he needs peace and quiet, every evening sitting at the computer...

 

I personally prefer intensive full-time courses with tutor and other students. But that's my style, it may not suit others...

[AmandaR]

I've worked from home for the past 7 years running the office for mine/my husbands business and also as a self employed bookkeeper for other companies and accountants.

It is great to fit work around the children etc but it can get very lonely at times - I do miss a bit of office banter.

 

Last year, I completed an OU home study course in Law. I thoroughly enjoyed it but had to be really disciplined to keep up with the schedule. I would have loved to have continued to gain a law degree but found it too expensive.

 

I'm now currently home studying with the AAT (exam on the 28th August ) to further the work I offer as self-employed and open a few more doors.

 

I think studying from home is a lot easier if you are interested in the subject enough to keep yourself motivated - definitely go along to the tutor study sessions if they are offered, as it really helps to meet others on the course and gives you the opportunity to create a study group to encourage each other.

 

If you are keen, go for it!

[Ange1]

Thanks for the info Amanda and good luck in your exam!

[freddie]

I work from home!! Doing guess what!!

and I work for the school meal service for 25 to 30 hrs a week; but I'm very very tired./...

[Ange1]

I dunno Freddie, give us a clue?!!

[..lay a little egg for me]

I used to work from home exclusively. You need to discipline yourself and do whatever work you set to do, make realistic targets for yourself and ensure you take meal drink forum breaks etc.

 

I always got a lot more done but could still make time for myself.

 

I work from home as a freelance writer. I do struggle with the discipline as I seem to have quite a lot of meal/drink/forum/scrabulous breaks!!

[Rhapsody]

I do- I run a livery yard and small farm.

[Valkyrie]

We do too. OH runs his own business which supplies carpets to interior designers. He has taken over the study, garage, loft and occasionally the dining room. I help out by doing some admin, marketing and the bit I like - matching colour samples to fabrics. Sadly at the moment colour isn't the "in" thing - just a variety of brown shades - you'd be surprised how many different shades of drab exist! Although my main job is to provide tea all day long.

As Amanda R said you must be disciplined - which he can do really well - I couldn't do it - too many things distract me. He is a workaholic and I am a shirkaholic!

[Tina C]

I work at home here in Cambs for a company based in Bracknell. Ended up that way after relocation/redundancy notices went out just after I got back from maternity leave, working part-time - 2 offices were relocated to Bracknell and my boss did not want to lose me.

 

I had freelanced before so knew what it was like. You do have to be disciplined - both to get the work done and to prevent it taking over.

 

I could not go back to an office now. I visit Bracknell once or twice a year and come away with an horrendous headache, having achieved not very much

 

Because I can manage my own time to suit its great to fit in around school run etc but school hols aren't much fun as I end up working in the evenings - although am happy that I do not have to send daughter on play schemes or whatever.

 

Beware - you can feel isolated.

[Willow]

I work from home for a major international technology company. I have a global mgmt role so haven't met a lot of the people I work with and it would make no difference if I worked in the local office.

 

Some people I've worked with had no idea what country I'm located in (although I would have thought the english accent would give it away). I don't think I could ever go back into an office now. Downside is I end up spending too much time working When you don't meet your boss and co-workers you are judged on results !

 

I love the flexibility and being able to do school run and have the kids around during the school hols (they are very good about my work).

 

Many telecoms companies are good about home workers and they have the technology available to them to make it easy. You usually need to establish yourself first though.