How To Become A Remote Worker
I’ve been trying to figure out how I could leave the world of work from a centralized location. I thought maybe I could go into software and become a computer programmer. I tried my hand at an introduction to coding class and discovered I didn’t have the aptitude.
Over the last couple years, I have been working as an independent contractor as an event coordinator for two different sole proprietors whose clients are primarily nonprofits.
By coordinating event details remotely, it didn’t matter whether I was working in Maupin or in Portland. Getting work done anywhere was liberating.
Then reality hit. While the events I worked on were rewarding, the events themselves were few and far between. After two years it became apparent that I wasn’t working enough events to be financially sustainable.
I wasn’t sure what to do next. Then an opportunity came my way.
My husband subscribes to the Rural Online Initiative Newsletter put out by the Utah State University Extension Rural Online Initiative. He forwarded me one from late February 2020. It highlighted a certificate program to teach people how to become remote workers. I delved in further to learn more about ROI and its remote worker certificate program.
Rural Online Initiative (ROI) and the Rural Economic Development Incentive (REDI) were signed into law during the 2018 Utah General Legislative Session. This was in response and to address unemployment, poverty, and overall limited economic opportunities in rural Utah. The ROI program is centered on teaching members of Utah’s rural workforce and business communities about how to become remote workers. ROI is funded through Utah State University Extension which facilitates, develops curriculum, and connects with targeted rural districts.
The Master Remote Work Professional Certificate program initially started with 16 rural counties in Utah. It has since expanded statewide. Depending on where you live in Utah, the course fee for this specific certificate program is either free or $99. Out-of-state applicants may apply and pay $199 to take this course. [ROI offers two certificate programs: Master Remote Work Professional (MRWP) or Master Remote Work Leader (MRWL).] I applied for, and was accepted to the MRWP Certificate course.
This self directed 4 week course takes about 30 hours to complete. It is broken into the 9 modules listed below. Once a week, students are required to attend interactive workshops online via Zoom conferencing (a free online conference service). As your schedule permits, you can participate either in the afternoon or evening interactive workshop session. Please note that the interactive workshop time frames are in US Mountain time.
- Module 1: Work Day
- Module 2: Communication
- Module 3: Workflow
- Module 4: Productivity & Time Management
- Module 5: Teamwork
- Module 6: Compliance
- Module 7: Critical Thinking
- Module 8: Virtual Careers
- Module 9: Remote Job Development
The MRWP Certificate course is my entry into learning online. I’m excited and curious about how well I’ll be able to learn outside of a traditional classroom. Besides learning how to learn in a new way for a new career, here’s what else I want to gain personally and professionally:
- Improvement with the following competencies: communication, productivity and time management; critical thinking
- See how the MRWP skill set can enhances my background as an administrative assistant and event coordinator
- Share my learning experience with City of Maupin to garner interest to bring this program to Maupin
My class starts April 6, 2020. Over this time, I look forward to sharing updates and highlights.
