SIX WAYS TO INDEPENDENCE

Those who keep abreast of the times may eventually feel a desire for self-perfection, development and success. This especially concerns the present-day “progressive” youth.

Oftentimes, when interviewed, the brightest of them will say, “Work takes lots of time and effort, but I’m also a part-time student...”. How on earth can they arrange their life to always be in the lead? The answer is simple: they are never satisfied with what they have achieved, they keep on forging ahead for new accomplishments. It’s hardly worth waiting for your lucky star to fall from the skies, so you’ve got to go through fire and water and be ready to do any work honestly in order to get a prestigious, highly-paid job. In my turn, my dear Reader, I will help you take the first step on the long and arduous journey through the hills and hillocks of this crazy life.

WAY 1

Were you a bright student at school? Believe me, it was not for nothing that you crammed hard for a chemistry test, memorized algebraic formulas, and perfected your English (German, French) pronunciation. Why not try yourself as a teacher now? Ask your friends if they have a nephew, son, brother, grandson (a regular truant and loafer) who needs coaching, coach him in the subjects he is weak in at school. You won’t make much money, but if you are lucky enough you will make a better guy of him.

Obstacles.

Before you start coaching, take your time to look through a couple of books on child psychology. Believe me, it may come in handy. Then again, forget all the rude words and learn to formulate your ideas clearly. It’s critical to speak with your student in his own language, or else he’ll get bored very soon.

WAY 2

Dou you have a great sense of rhythm? Is it that when you come to a disco party, the ravished public clusters around you and you hear someone say admiringly, “My! I wish I could move as well as this girl!”? Why not benefit from this? Keep going to discos and dancing, but ... on the stage. My girlfriend makes pretty good money on this. The administration of a nightclub will take care of your immunity, so dance to your heart’s content.

By the way, to qualify for the job you don’t need to finish a dance school or have some super dancing abilities. Some nightclubs may offer paid dance courses, and the organizers will normally select a few people who did well for work as stage dancers.

Obstacles.

You will have to spell out to your parents what your work is all about. Otherwise, imagine how they may picture your night work...

Then again, if you are a university student, try not to sacrifice your morning classes, just take a good nap before going to your night work. And don’t let yourself relax all through the day at the university until the final bell goes.

WAY 3

Are you fond of children? Does it make you feel uneasy to think about some poor little kid who craves love but whose parents are wrapped up in their work? Then get the job of a babysitter and do it right now.

It’s best to babysit for somebody you know, all the more so if they see your family often. Then they will feel safe entrusting you their kid. By the way, if your kid isn’t too naughty you may take the opportunity of his napping or playing quietly to read for your term exams.

Obstacles.

The job is only suitable for part-time students since the working day of busy parents starts at 8 a.m.

Then again, your acquaintances may not have children. Others will often prefer an experienced woman to a green girl student. Or if you feel you can change their mind, do it!

WAY 4

Are you a good talker? Is it that when you just take in a breath of air, your listeners sit with their breath bated, dying to hear yet another thrilling story?

Is music something else you are keen on? Can you easily tell trip hop from break beat?

It’s surprising that you have never been offered a job at a radio station. If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain, so arrange to be auditioned, make the radio people feel fascinated by your own style, your talent. More knowledge in music and fewer mistakes in speech will make you a DJ.

Monotonous as this job may be, it gives you a chance to raise your listeners’ spirits, and they are sure to reciprocate by making you popular.

Obstacles.

There are virtually none! Although some may dislike communicating with their listeners through radio equipment.

WAY 5

Are you keen on computers? Do you sit up long into the night walking about the Louvre or browsing through the books at the Library of Congress? You surely know what the job of an information manager is all about.

What you do is search for information your client needs, meaning he gives you a theme and you provide the facts.

Your service may be also paid through the computer. Once the required amount is transferred into your bank account, you send the information to your client.

Obstacles.

Your PC must be connected to the Internet, which requires a telephone line and modem. Remember that sitting at your computer too long may impair your eyesight. Watch the way you sit. After a few months of doing such work (provided there are enough orders) it’ll come as no surprise when the Information Queen finds her back looking like the wheel of an old cart.

Don’t relax! The fact that you work involves no personal contacts does not mean you can be careless about your looks.

WAY 6

Are you fond of writing letters and keeping diaries? Do you notice some minor details that others overlook?

Then try yourself as a reporter. Find your own writing style, so the reader could recognize you before his eyes fall on your name at the bottom of an article. I believe it’s best to work within one theme, then you can think over the subject matter of each article and present it entirely from a perspective understandable to the reader. True, this work requires resourcefulness, infinite imagination, and responsibility.

Obstacles.

There are none! Nothing is so satisfying as creative work.

With your first money earned you become independent not only financially, but in some other, genuine way. It’s real pleasure to feel yourself the mistress of your own life, a pilot out on a tough racecourse named “Destiny”!

Happy journey!

Olga Luchkova

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