4 answers
Leah
Student
Norfolk, Virginia
1
Question
Updated
1289 views
Which fastest-growing online career do I choose that matches my skills/ qualifications/ background?
I am an adult with advanced PhD/MA degrees in Philosophy/ logic; research psychology; Liberal arts.
My key skills/ experience lie in writing, thought leadership, research, lecturing (all ages & media), counseling (basic license).
I am best with word skills followed by people skills.
I have some background in journalism, marketing, sales.
For personal reasons, I need to work online/ remote/ freelance.
Can you please suggest one or more areas to look into - fastest growing jobs that intersect with my skills. (I am ready to pivot if needed, but cannot afford to spend too much money or time in upskilling (I am a single mother in her 50s)).
Thanks
PS. Neither consulting nor technical writing nor platforms like Upwork is for me. (I have either tried or succesfully worked in each of these; there is declining job opportunity and horrendous competition). I am also unsuited for cybersecurity consulting work though I have research experience in that field. If you wish, I can provide you with my resume.
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4 answers
ANTHONY SYLVESTER
School counselor
34
Answers
Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria
Updated
ANTHONY’s Answer
With your background, I would not recommend starting over in a completely new field. You already have a valuable combination of advanced academic knowledge, research ability, writing, teaching, psychology, counselling, and communication. The better strategy is to reposition those skills toward areas where organizations increasingly need people who can interpret information, communicate complex ideas, conduct research, and work with people.
Based on what you have share and your need for remote/flexible work with minimal additional training I would explore these areas:
1. Research & Insights
This may be one of your strongest options. Look beyond traditional academic research toward qualitative research, user research, social research, policy research, education research, and research analysis.
Your philosophy,logic background can actually be an advantage because these roles require critical thinking, interviewing, synthesizing information, identifying patterns, and producing clear reports.
2. AI Content Evaluation , AI Training
This is an area worth investigating because your combination of writing, research, logic, psychology, and critical reasoning can transfer well into work involving evaluating AI-generated content, creating or reviewing training data, fact-checking, reasoning evaluation, and improving AI responses.
You would need to learn the specific tools and workflows, but this generally requires much less retraining than becoming a programmer or cybersecurity professional.
3. Online Education & Adult Learning
Rather than competing for generic online teaching positions, consider your expertise in adult education, instructional content, curriculum development, assessment, academic support, and professional learning.
Your lecturing background gives you credibility here. You could also specialize in areas such as critical thinking, research methods, academic writing, ethics, psychology, or professional communication.
4. Academic, Career Coaching and Student Support
Since you already have counselling experience, consider remote roles involving academic advising, career guidance, student success, mentoring, and learner support.
I would distinguish this from general "life coaching." Your academic and counselling background gives you a much stronger professional niche in education and career development.
5. Knowledge ,Content Research
There is a difference between generic content writing and being a subject matter researcher who produces authoritative content.
Think about roles such as research writer, editorial researcher, knowledge researcher, content researcher, research editor, or thought ,leadership researcher. Your journalism, marketing, writing, and academic background could work together particularly well here.
If I were helping you narrow this down
I would put your options roughly in this order:
Research & Insights AI evaluation/training Online education/adult learning Academic/career support Research, based content, knowledge work.
The important point is that you don't necessarily need another degree. Your challenge is less about qualifications and more about positioning.
Instead of presenting yourself as someone who has "done philosophy, psychology, liberal arts, journalism and counselling," build a professional identity around a clear value proposition such as:
«Researcher, educator and critical thinking specialist who translates complex information into clear insights, learning content and practical guidance.
That positioning allows your existing qualifications to work together rather than appearing unrelated.
I would also caution against choosing a career simply because it is described as a "fast-growing job." A fast-growing field is not automatically a good career fit. In your situation, I would prioritize transferability of existing skills, remote accessibility, age independent expertise, low retraining cost, and realistic demand.
If you are willing to share your resume, that would actually be useful. I could help you identify 2 to 3 specific career directions from your existing experience, rather than giving you another long list of possibilities.
Based on what you have share and your need for remote/flexible work with minimal additional training I would explore these areas:
1. Research & Insights
This may be one of your strongest options. Look beyond traditional academic research toward qualitative research, user research, social research, policy research, education research, and research analysis.
Your philosophy,logic background can actually be an advantage because these roles require critical thinking, interviewing, synthesizing information, identifying patterns, and producing clear reports.
2. AI Content Evaluation , AI Training
This is an area worth investigating because your combination of writing, research, logic, psychology, and critical reasoning can transfer well into work involving evaluating AI-generated content, creating or reviewing training data, fact-checking, reasoning evaluation, and improving AI responses.
You would need to learn the specific tools and workflows, but this generally requires much less retraining than becoming a programmer or cybersecurity professional.
3. Online Education & Adult Learning
Rather than competing for generic online teaching positions, consider your expertise in adult education, instructional content, curriculum development, assessment, academic support, and professional learning.
Your lecturing background gives you credibility here. You could also specialize in areas such as critical thinking, research methods, academic writing, ethics, psychology, or professional communication.
4. Academic, Career Coaching and Student Support
Since you already have counselling experience, consider remote roles involving academic advising, career guidance, student success, mentoring, and learner support.
I would distinguish this from general "life coaching." Your academic and counselling background gives you a much stronger professional niche in education and career development.
5. Knowledge ,Content Research
There is a difference between generic content writing and being a subject matter researcher who produces authoritative content.
Think about roles such as research writer, editorial researcher, knowledge researcher, content researcher, research editor, or thought ,leadership researcher. Your journalism, marketing, writing, and academic background could work together particularly well here.
If I were helping you narrow this down
I would put your options roughly in this order:
Research & Insights AI evaluation/training Online education/adult learning Academic/career support Research, based content, knowledge work.
The important point is that you don't necessarily need another degree. Your challenge is less about qualifications and more about positioning.
Instead of presenting yourself as someone who has "done philosophy, psychology, liberal arts, journalism and counselling," build a professional identity around a clear value proposition such as:
«Researcher, educator and critical thinking specialist who translates complex information into clear insights, learning content and practical guidance.
That positioning allows your existing qualifications to work together rather than appearing unrelated.
I would also caution against choosing a career simply because it is described as a "fast-growing job." A fast-growing field is not automatically a good career fit. In your situation, I would prioritize transferability of existing skills, remote accessibility, age independent expertise, low retraining cost, and realistic demand.
If you are willing to share your resume, that would actually be useful. I could help you identify 2 to 3 specific career directions from your existing experience, rather than giving you another long list of possibilities.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1453
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Leah,
Given your background, I wouldn't recommend starting over with another degree or chasing whichever job title happens to be called “fast-growing.” You already have a combination of advanced education, research, writing, teaching, communication, and people skills that can be repositioned.
One area I would seriously investigate is learning and development, particularly online learning, instructional design, and professional education. Your lecturing, research, writing, and ability to explain complex ideas could transfer well into developing courses, training programmes, learning materials, webinars, and educational content for organizations. This field also gives you opportunities to work remotely.
There is some encouraging evidence for this direction. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% growth for training and development specialists from 2025 to 2035, considerably faster than the 3% average for all occupations. It also reports that these professionals spend much of their time communicating with people, giving presentations, and developing learning programmes.
I would also look at research and insights roles, especially qualitative research, user research, education research, or policy research. Your philosophy and psychology background could be valuable where the job involves interviewing people, analyzing information, identifying patterns, and communicating findings rather than doing highly technical quantitative work.
Another possibility is content strategy or educational content development, particularly in education, healthcare, mental health, professional development, or mission-driven organizations. Your subject-matter background could help you compete for more specialized roles rather than general writing jobs.
I wouldn't spend thousands on retraining yet. I'd pick one direction, look at 20–30 current remote job descriptions, and identify the skills employers repeatedly request. Then fill only the gaps that appear repeatedly.
And Leah, being in your 50s doesn't mean your previous career has to be discarded. In your situation, I'd focus on repackaging your existing expertise into a role with current demand, rather than trying to become a completely different professional.
Best wishes!
Given your background, I wouldn't recommend starting over with another degree or chasing whichever job title happens to be called “fast-growing.” You already have a combination of advanced education, research, writing, teaching, communication, and people skills that can be repositioned.
One area I would seriously investigate is learning and development, particularly online learning, instructional design, and professional education. Your lecturing, research, writing, and ability to explain complex ideas could transfer well into developing courses, training programmes, learning materials, webinars, and educational content for organizations. This field also gives you opportunities to work remotely.
There is some encouraging evidence for this direction. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% growth for training and development specialists from 2025 to 2035, considerably faster than the 3% average for all occupations. It also reports that these professionals spend much of their time communicating with people, giving presentations, and developing learning programmes.
I would also look at research and insights roles, especially qualitative research, user research, education research, or policy research. Your philosophy and psychology background could be valuable where the job involves interviewing people, analyzing information, identifying patterns, and communicating findings rather than doing highly technical quantitative work.
Another possibility is content strategy or educational content development, particularly in education, healthcare, mental health, professional development, or mission-driven organizations. Your subject-matter background could help you compete for more specialized roles rather than general writing jobs.
I wouldn't spend thousands on retraining yet. I'd pick one direction, look at 20–30 current remote job descriptions, and identify the skills employers repeatedly request. Then fill only the gaps that appear repeatedly.
And Leah, being in your 50s doesn't mean your previous career has to be discarded. In your situation, I'd focus on repackaging your existing expertise into a role with current demand, rather than trying to become a completely different professional.
Best wishes!
Sijoy Sagar
Program Manager
147
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sijoy’s Answer
Hi Leah,
Your impressive background in philosophy, psychology, liberal arts, and writing is truly inspiring. You have a lot to offer, and there are many online opportunities where your skills can shine without needing much extra training.
Here are some exciting career paths to consider:
Online Education & Course Creation: With your experience in lecturing, you could create courses in philosophy, logic, or psychology on platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Coursera, reaching learners worldwide.
Content Strategy & Thought Leadership Writing: You have a talent for explaining complex ideas clearly, which is valuable for writing insightful articles, white papers, or blogs for organizations.
Counseling & Coaching (Remote): Your license and people skills make you a great fit for online counseling or life coaching. You could also explore academic coaching or career guidance.
Research & Policy Analysis (Freelance/Remote): Many NGOs, think tanks, and educational organizations need remote researchers and writers for reports and studies.
Digital Publishing & Niche Journalism: Your journalism and marketing skills could lead to writing for specialized online publications, especially in ethics, psychology, or education.
Community Building & Moderation: Your word and people skills are perfect for leading discussions, moderating communities, and creating engaging content online.
Next Steps:
1. Choose the path that excites you most, whether it's education, counseling, or writing.
2. Start with freelance or project-based work to gain experience.
3. Use your expertise to stand out in niche areas instead of crowded markets.
4. Focus on platforms that value your skills, like Coursera for teaching, Substack for publishing, or BetterHelp for counseling.
Remember, you don't need to change who you are. Your skills in writing, research, and counseling are already a great match for growing online careers. Focus on areas where your expertise is unique and appreciated, allowing you to work flexibly without much retraining.
Wishing you confidence and clarity as you explore these opportunities.
Your impressive background in philosophy, psychology, liberal arts, and writing is truly inspiring. You have a lot to offer, and there are many online opportunities where your skills can shine without needing much extra training.
Here are some exciting career paths to consider:
Online Education & Course Creation: With your experience in lecturing, you could create courses in philosophy, logic, or psychology on platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Coursera, reaching learners worldwide.
Content Strategy & Thought Leadership Writing: You have a talent for explaining complex ideas clearly, which is valuable for writing insightful articles, white papers, or blogs for organizations.
Counseling & Coaching (Remote): Your license and people skills make you a great fit for online counseling or life coaching. You could also explore academic coaching or career guidance.
Research & Policy Analysis (Freelance/Remote): Many NGOs, think tanks, and educational organizations need remote researchers and writers for reports and studies.
Digital Publishing & Niche Journalism: Your journalism and marketing skills could lead to writing for specialized online publications, especially in ethics, psychology, or education.
Community Building & Moderation: Your word and people skills are perfect for leading discussions, moderating communities, and creating engaging content online.
Next Steps:
1. Choose the path that excites you most, whether it's education, counseling, or writing.
2. Start with freelance or project-based work to gain experience.
3. Use your expertise to stand out in niche areas instead of crowded markets.
4. Focus on platforms that value your skills, like Coursera for teaching, Substack for publishing, or BetterHelp for counseling.
Remember, you don't need to change who you are. Your skills in writing, research, and counseling are already a great match for growing online careers. Focus on areas where your expertise is unique and appreciated, allowing you to work flexibly without much retraining.
Wishing you confidence and clarity as you explore these opportunities.
Donna Hull
Engineer
118
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Leah;
I don't have a clear answer for you. I wanted to show some support and sympathy for current frustration in your life and career path.
Personally, I have also been offering my daughter support, who just got a job at PETCO, despite her degree in Cyber Security. She even recently went though a exercise making sure her resume and interview skills are on point. With online work moving forward exponentially, potential workers are competing world wide for these positions.
Just looking at your qualifications and reflecting, the only suggestions I have:
- Are any of the online education companies looking for teachers, researchers, counseling, etc
- My company offers counseling via Spring Health which can either be online or in-person
I do so wish you the best in your endeavors
I don't have a clear answer for you. I wanted to show some support and sympathy for current frustration in your life and career path.
Personally, I have also been offering my daughter support, who just got a job at PETCO, despite her degree in Cyber Security. She even recently went though a exercise making sure her resume and interview skills are on point. With online work moving forward exponentially, potential workers are competing world wide for these positions.
Just looking at your qualifications and reflecting, the only suggestions I have:
- Are any of the online education companies looking for teachers, researchers, counseling, etc
- My company offers counseling via Spring Health which can either be online or in-person
I do so wish you the best in your endeavors