Are you a schoolteacher in need of extra income? A professor on summer break? A professional with expertise in an area that relates students study in school? If you are, online tutoring might be a good way to make some money. You can work on your hours, in the comfort of your own home.
In theory, at least, experience isn’t required to work as an Internet tutor; courses are available at a number of Web sites. But you’ll probably have a better chance if you can offer a background in teaching, or if you have a knowledge base that ties into education — if you work as a chemist, for example.
Students and tutors usually find each other online using Web sites such as Tutor.com, SmartThinking.com and TutorNation.com, where tutors offer their services, and students and their parents select the best matches. Virtual classrooms are sometimes available.
Specialization is encouraged in the tutoring world, generally by subject or age category. Work on an ordinary day might cover a student’s homework, test prep or a paper.
It’s important to present yourself well when you’re looking for work, just as you would while hunting for a job in any other career. You want to create the picture of a dependable, competent teacher (without bending the truth, of course), and demonstrate that yours is a thoughtful approach to tutoring. Getting certified, which you can do at some Web sites, may improve your chances of appealing to students and parents.
Among other perks to Web tutoring are the fact that your hours can be largely within your own control and the minimal expense of getting off the ground. A few books, supplies, and a high-speed Internet link are all you’ll need.
Your wages will be hourly, and you’ll make more or less based on the subjects you teach. But you could pull down hundreds of dollars each month, all without leaving home.