Some people know what they want to do for a living from the day they step foot in a classroom. They are confident in the path set before them and follow it. However, they may overlook opportunities of value or side hustles that could contribute to their goals, like becoming an online tutor. For others, choosing a career is stressful, complicated, and overwhelming.

Here's some good news! Online tutoring is an accessible option for various people, whether you're interested in education or want some side income. If you are interested in working a job in education, then tutoring is a perfect choice. Online tutoring is ideal because it can stand on its own or act as an income supplement to another career.

Besides, anyone can do it. Did you play an instrument in high school Do you know a foreign language Do you have a basic understanding of typical school subjects

Congrats, you have what it takes to become an online tutor. That's the hardest part. All that's left is to transform your intellectual skills into a tutoring business.

Step 1: Determine what subjects you want to tutor

Examining your skills and strengths is a great way to evaluate your qualifications to tutor online to determine in what area you want to virtually tutor students. If you are fluent or proficient in a non-English language, that's a skill. Do you have a sought-after skill, like piano, singing, or painting You could teach lessons on this subject. Did you get an A in geometry or world history in school

Even if you don't already work as a teacher, you're qualified to teach a current student who is struggling. As stated in the first paragraph, learning the material is the first and most challenging part of becoming an online tutor. If you have doubts about whether you are ccanne tutoring, we recommend that you take a leap of faith and see if it's a good fit for you. Don't sell yourself short before you even get there!

Step 2: Decide who you want to tutor

Next, decide what age group you would like to tutor. There is a vast difference between tutoring five-year-olds and tutoring eighteen-year-olds.

Very young children can have short attention spans, wild mood swings, and be unwilling to focus unless you have experience working with them. They need constant engagement and extra adjustment to their learning levels and content that keeps them enthusiastic about the material.

Middle school students generally have more self-control, but given that they are still developing their attention spans, patience is crucial to have while tutoring them. Not immediately understanding a subject can be frustrating or embarrassing. Meet them on their level, and engage them more as an older sibling than a strict teacher.

Compared to younger students, high school and college students generally have significant self-control and internal motivation to learn (or succeed in class).

A challenge when tutoring older students is that you may find that their problems are more complicated than you remember when you learned the subject. It is okay to admit that you are stumped by a question, so long as you work with the student through overcoming the hurdle and figuring it out.

Regardless of what age you tutor, it is essential that students feel like they are being supported and challenged. You should meet their needs, and they should receive the utmost respect and patience. As a tutor, you must find creative ways to kindle the flame of curiosity and passion for education.

Step 3: Choose how you will tutor students

You must now decide what type of tutoring works best for you and your student's needs. If you are a part of the generation that grew up with technology, it may seem natural to pursue virtual tutoring.

You are likely familiar with virtual meeting tools like Zoom or Google Meet. Subjects such as dance lessons, sports coaching, or music lessons traditionally taught offline can be easily adjusted to an online platform using a webcam and video conferencing. This option might be a preferable option during the pandemic.

Other subjects like English language or college application essay tutoring are suitable for an online format. Students can share their computer screen with the tutor and provide live feedback on the same screen. Your preferred platform might also vary based on the age group.

Some students learn better when their online tutor verbally communicates with them frequently. Other better use of the visual, written, or audio tools available to them. You should ask your students what they like, and how they prefer to learn, in order to determine what works best.

And don't feel like you have to limit yourself to in-person or online tutoring, either - you can be a successful tutor in both areas with the proper safety and technology adaptations!

Step 4: Find students and build relationships

Once you decide how to tutor, the next step is getting an actual tutoring job.

This challenge can be difficult, especially in rural areas or areas with low demand for tutoring. It can pose the question of deciding whether it's even worth gas's price to drive to a student's house and back for only an hour or two. Rural tutors might want to look outside their local market through virtual tutoring. Online platforms like Lessonpal can help find students in different areas.

Online tutoring can easily connect students and tutors across the world. This method is especially advantageous for tutors with very busy or irregular schedules or disabilities that inhibit their ability to hold a physical job. When you become a Lessonpal tutor, studentcanto discovers your profile very quickly.

Nextdoor and Facebook can be helpful platforms, but they only go so far. The best way to find an online student is to become a comfortable online tutor.

That requires a platform like Lessonpal to provide best-fit options for students and teachers across all zip codes and urban and rural areas.

The big picture

Anyone can become an online tutor - it's a rewarding opportunity. All you need is access to a computer and wifi. Simple, right

Despite the challenges of becoming a tutor, the satisfaction and success unfold infinitely. The rewards for both the student and the tutor are worth it.

The obvious benefit is the extra income. Tutoring always has and will always be a high-demand service because of the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the rise of virtual learning. Family members sometimes lack the skills to help their children in all areas of their education. But you can help!

The real reward comes when a parent emails you that you helped them raise their grade from a C to an A. Or when you get to watch a student have a conversation in their second language. Or when you inspire a student to pursue learning for the joy of it, and not just for the grade.

These are the little moments that make tutoring worth it! You can get started today by applying to tutor on Lessonpal.