Ideas for part time and/or work at home jobs

So I've moved across the Pacific and am currently a SAHM after working my butt off for years. I'd like to bring in a little extra income, and I'd like to either work away from home part time or at home on my own schedule. I tried asking Google for ideas, but typing in "work at home" and such things just brings up bullshit scams offering to earn bucketloads of cash without actually doing anything. I'm looking for realistic ideas on what I can do for work. Another problem I'm running into is that if I search any of the many job search engines for part time work, all I get are admin, accounting or child care jobs, which are fine in their own right but are just not my cup of tea or field of expertise. Does anyone have any ideas on what I might be able to do with a physics/astronomy and spacecraft operations background?

Alternatively, I've thought about starting my own Ebay business, but I just don't know if it's worth all the effort. I'd have to delve into the legal aspect of running a small business, and I'm not really sure what I'd sell anyway. Has anyone here started an Ebay business?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions! Please don't give any Germany-specific advice, because I'm in Australia.

Ummm... what are you posting here for?

If you're a SAHM you must have time to practice / learn new things. Ever consider trying to be a voice actor? Might as well throw out random ideas, since your presence on a forum for english speakers in germany whilst being in australia is also quite random.

Physicists normally have quirks, so put that "talking to yourself" to good use and practice voices. you can certainly find links on that. If you get a job you'd have to hire a babysitter, but jobs are like a half day here and there and you get paid alot for your time.

If you don't have any real advice, then take a hike. I'm posting on this forum, because I know a lot of people on it and I'd appreciate their advice. My presence on this forum isn't random at all. I've been on it since I joined over four years ago when I was living in Munich and TT membership was, if I recall correctly, just a couple hundred people.

If you're going to post to belittle people, at least try and make it funny next time.

If you do something on ebay, don't intimidate yourself too much by thinking of it as a business right away. You can start out small selling stuff here and there and adapt accordingly if things work out well for you.

Johnny English is the spiritual leader of all people aspiring to start a home-based business on TT, by the way.

I was in the same boat... Molecular biologist/biochemist for nearly 2 decades, then SAHM. It's quite a shock. If you don't need the money, my advice is to enjoy this time to the fullest. Make yourself your child's teacher. Go to different places every day. Join playgroups, mothers' clubs, etc. It will make a real difference in your child's life. Have you considered teaching science courses? That was my plan, once my son was old enough for part-time preschool so that I could go back to school for a teacher's credential, but then we ended up here. I don't know about Australia, but the USA certainly needs good science teachers who actually have real life experience!

Otherwise, I guess all I can think of would be consulting?? writing articles?

How about contacting the local science research dept at the uni in the city where you are? Even if they don't have anything themselves, they may know of other possibilities.

Too bad you don't live in Munich, I could use one of those!

There is a lot of work to be had in writing/correcting (articles, grants, editor, etc). In fact, if I weren't spinning off a biotech company, I would be starting a company doing that.

A bit touchy, don't you think? I was actually being serious. So much for thinking outside the box.

Yes, I saw your thread. You would LOVE me. I am a jack (jill?) of all biotech trades... even lab management. I would LOVE to live in Munich. Both German profs who I worked with in CA (UCSF) have tried hard to get me to work with them here... but they are too far from Hamburg.

If we ever make it down there (my much preferred part of Germany), I will contact you. Just please don't lock me in the tissue culture room. While I am VERY good at it, it's not something I play up on my C.V.

If we go back to Calif, and I don't teach, I am keen on Metabolex.

I don't know about the physics/astronomy departments but judging by my time at Uni in Australia (doing Computer science) they could do with more lecturers/tutors who a) have plenty of real world experience and B) speak the bloody language! Might be worth looking into, I think even the tutors got paid a decent hourly rate (definitely compared to admin/call centre work)

Maybe you could be a technical writer/editor and work online, even for companies outside Australia. Or start your own science blog? Something similar to dr. Karl's blog

edit: sorry eurovol, didn't see you mentioned the writing/editing before.

Thanks everyone for the advice!


Voice acting was a serious suggestion? It certainly seemed like you were being facetious. I can't imagine there's a whole lot of it here in Melbourne, even for those with experience, and I doubt there's much need for someone with an American accent.

Someone back home suggested technical writing as well, but how would I get into it? To be honest, it sounds a bit boring. I enjoy writing, but that really sounds like some tedious work. I guess Ebay's probably no more fun, though.

mlovett - I'm definitely enjoying my time with my son, and I don't really plan on getting seriously into working until sometime after we buy a house, which won't be for at least a few more months. I think there's just as much of a need for science teachers here (though tutors seem abundant on the job sites), but all the jobs seem to require teaching credentials, which I don't have.

JW - I've sold a few things on Ebay in the past, including a couple iphones. The listings and transactions are the least of my worries. What I'm wary of is having to navigate all the legal issues involved and finding wholesalers. In the end, my objective is to bring in a second income substantial enough to tuck some money away, so selling an odd item here and there would just be a quick start. I forgot about JE. I might have to PM him for some tips. Thanks for reminding me!

Science/technical writing or editing is what came to my mind, too. Or, since you're getting first-hand experience of kids as a mum, how about trying your hand at writing science books for children? Another idea: is there anything like a public observatory or science museum near you, which might hire you to give lectures to the general public?

If you find some line of work where you can use your science background, there's also the advantage that you're keeping your oar in in case you want to return to a full-time scientific career when the kids are older.

I dunno. I thought if you're puttering around the house and there aren't many people around, you could channel the battyness that you are most likely developing into something creative. Guess you gotta have a flair for the dramatic and the absurd.

Therefore, back to science. Tech writing is very boring. I do it as a part-time job to put me through Uni. Pay is great, job is b-b-boring.

High school tutoring. You put your degree on the wall. Presto! credentials. High school teachers are typically 2 pages ahead in the textbook anyway. If my brother can teach math, you can tutor science.

Why don't you put a link to your job advert or company website so that others who do live in Munich have the opportunity to apply?

He did, sort of!

Oh sorry, I didn't realise that they were the same position. I though that Molecular Biologist meant that he was looking for a staff scientist not a technician.

This can be a tough business to get into, and there's a lot to learn. It's a question of trust - if I'm a technical editor under the pressure of deadlines, I've got to believe that any work I farm out to you will be done on time, to a professional standard, and in keeping with my own style guidelines. I'd say that most people working as technical writers at home get their work based on previous contacts.

Preparing journalistic articles is more realistic. It's something anyone can do, but you really have to be prepared to time invest a lot of time in it.

Hi Interplanetjanet...I haven't got any good suggestions but hearing you are living in Melbourne - my old home town just made me feel a little homesick. Are you in Melbourne or one of the suburbs? Anyway, do enjoy the time you have with your little one. Maybe this is the opportunity for doing something really different...

How about getting into some mild Quality Assurance work for software companies or consulting on physics simulations (if there's any such projects around)?

Hi Hi, I think my ears were burning.

Where exactly are you located in Oz out of curiosity?

The #1 port of call is www.alibaba.com when thinking of what to flog. Half the time you can find stuff you like on ebay and then match with a supplier on alibaba.

If I was in Oz I reckon I would be sourcing smallish solar panels from China and flogging to the great unwashed - there must be plenty of locations in Australia where people would
be willing to fit their own panels.

Funnily enough I actually have a couple of interesting products that I could supply you at "wholesale" prices 'cos I have no exposure or immediate plans for Oz. And these have proven track
record on Ebay etc. Just PM me.

I think it's quite a big ask to rule out most of the jobs that actually suit people who want to work part time / at homework on the ground that they don't suit you or you don't fancy them.
If you constrain / limit your availability, then potential employers are going to limit their avaiability to you.

The admin / bookkeeping / waiting tables line is exactly what the jobs market believes suits such people. However, this field provides a host of networks and contacts. I've met loads of useful contacts trhrough some of this.

I have a specialist background but I work for myself in a variety of fields these days (in Germany). I never rule out any opportunity on the grounds that "it's not me". I still have my profession. It doesn't disappear just because I do some low paid -. even free - admin or drudge work.

My opinion is that it is actually contacts and networks that are the key - and getting out and about too, in order to start seeing the opportunities. Build up those - prove yourself - and it gets easier. You need to be visible. It can work better than just chasing the opportunity.

Also are there any professional groups or member organisations in your field that you could engage with? That could lead to many other opportunities. Whilst initially unpaid / voluntary, that's something that could build up your contacts. Running databases, arranging events, knowledge management is easy to do at home, on line. You don't even have to be in th same country these days.

It's not that hard because, for every person that makes a real effort, there seems to be a hundred sitting at home just waiting for their genius to be noticed by a gamut of employers - which of course it won't be.

I know peers who run online businesses (Ebay and other). The key is the idea - the vision thing. Finding the thing you could produce / make that people want to buy and that makes you a profit. The logistics (running websites, business admin) are small beer. Again, your networks will tell you most of what you need.

Do you have any special skills or talents that you could teach? Teaching in your career field my be more difficult if you don't have the proper certifications to teach.

My plan has always been to teach piano in the time that I'm not working.

how about buying and selling space rocket related stuff on ebay?

my mate did that for a little while when ebay was just started, selling russian space-race memorabilia, it was really interesting all the cool commie stuff he used to get hold of.

or you could set up some kind of sexyscientist webcam and people could watch you writing technical papers in a sexy fashion

I kinda disagree on this personally. I remember being told by a business guy at a meeting when I was about 22 to forget any notion of actually "having a big idea". Don't try and find a market niche, Don't try and invent a new product, Don't try and do something original. Basically the chances are that your great original idea has not already been done because it is too expensive to make, too expensive to produce, has no real demand etc etc. For every Dyson that makes it, 1000 fail.

So the answer is basically:

Just get into any existing busy markeplace that you fancy, and take 0.001% market share from the others. There will be be big, fat, lazy slow people in the market that will not react to customer calls and questions like you will - and you will take sales. By getting into an existing busy market you KNOW the customers are there, and you KNOW they are looking for your product.

The #1 hardest hardest hardest thing is going from "talking the talk" to "walking the walk" on a Monday morning. You don't need a great idea - the hard bit is getting off your arse. It's like going running - the hardest bit is dragging the trainers onto your feet - once you get out the door it's always easy enough.

agreed JE - I just read a book by the publisher Felix Dennis and he says exactly the same - that looking around for one big idea will probably lead you nowhere.

Is that a German laugh there JE??

@ Interplanetjanet:
There is a demand for high school teachers in the fields of mathematics/physics across Australia and, if you already have a university degree in one of these subjects, getting your teaching qualification requires simply a year-long university course. My cousin is currently a SAHM (prior to kids, she was a Statistician) and she is studying via correspondence for the piece of paper and pedagogical skils that she will need to teach high school maths. The study is keeping her mentally stimulated plus allowing her to spend time with her kids and then the moment they are off to pre-school, she is planning to start teaching ... and will have school holidays to spend with the kids in the future which is a big plus. Another friend of mine just did the same thing last year and is now teaching Geography at high school with three young kids. She does relief teaching 2-3 days a week so gets out of the house but still has time to raise a young family.

I suggest you contact a local uni (Griffith, Monash etc) to get more info.
Good luck!

We're actually not in Melbourne but down the peninsula in a tiny suburb in the sticks just south of Frankston. We're staying temporarily at my in-laws' house while they travel so we can save up a down payment for a house. We plan to buy somewhere between Seaford and Chelsea. It's shocking just how affordable homes are only a few blocks or even across the street from the beach!


Thanks for that! Have you ever heard of Worldwide Brands? I was reading a site where the author insisted this was the only trustworthy place to use. Of course, for all I know that guy may own the site!


Thanks. I'll send you a PM when I get a chance. My boy got me sick, so I may just take a break from the computer and lay on the couch for awhile, but I'll be in touch soon.


I couldn't disagree more. Life is too short to waste your time doing something you don't want to do. If I can find something I'd enjoy doing from home (and I have time to figure that out), then why would I want to waste my time doing something I don't like? I've been picky and have taken my time looking for every house I've ever lived in and every job I've ever had, and my patience has always paid off. Why take a job I don't want or work for free when I know that with a little effort I can do something I actually want to do?


It's not as though I'm sitting at home being lazy and waiting for my genius to be recognized. The whole point is that I WANT to be at home with my son. If I can sort out some work that I can do from my own home (and it's looking like my best option may be the Ebay thing), then I won't have to put my son in daycare and can be home with him and there for him during the day. It's not a matter of not wanting to get out there and put in the effort - I could do that relatively easily and get a very good paying job in science with just a bit of effort and time - it's a matter of figuring out what's possible to do from home and on a flexible schedule.


Yes, I certainly agree that networking does a world of good. My husband works in astronomy, and I could get some part time work from people in his department. I also have other connections at nearby universities, and I have no doubt that I could also find some part time work through them. The problem with that is that it would end up being a smattering of short-term work when the projects are there and funding is available. I'm certainly open to doing that, but I still want to find something that could bring in a more steady and reliable income.


That's not too bad of an idea, but I'd think the hard part would be collecting the stuff. It definitely would have been easier for me to get my hands on such memorabilia back home. If I had such a collection already it would be great.




I agree with JE as well on the vision thing. Thanks for all your advice, JE! You're making me feel motivated toward doing the Ebay thing. I know I'm very capable of it, and I know I would be very good at it and meticulous in my work (replying to questions right away and shipping immediately after auctions end).

@mo3 - I appreciate the advice, and I've definitely considered teaching. I've taught elementary-aged kids before and it was one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever had, but I'm leaning away from teaching since it would take me away from my son. I'd still consider it, but I think at this point I'm putting a priority on the work-at-home options over part time work.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions!