An MBA in Human Resources and with around 16+ years of experience, Maathangi has worked with Multinational companies such as Genpact & Infosys. She strongly believes in the importance of the role of a teacher as a mentor. Maathangi advocates for a diverse workplace. She believes that Workplace Diversity brings about diversity in thoughts which in turn exponentially increases the number of creative ideas & innovative thoughts within the company.
The education landscape in India is on the brink of a major transformation, what with the fervent strides EduTech is making across all aspects, from empowering teachers with intuitive aids of delivery to providing students with top-notch study material. Rapid internet penetration even in the relatively underdeveloped regions of India has only helped spearhead the e-learning trend. Having incorporated flexibility in a rather rigid educational system, remains, by far, one the biggest achievements of EduTech.
This is giving a new leash of life to mentors, especially women, who had been cut off from the mainstream due to various reasons, personal or otherwise. Teachers need no longer be confined by long commute hours or inflexible teaching schedules; they can now earn a decent buck while working from the comforts of their home. Here are five work-from-home opportunities for female mentors that will be in demand in 2020.
- Online English Tutors
English is a universal business language and is, therefore, a must-have skill for professionals who want to build a good career for themselves. Especially in today’s day and age, ruled by a strong undercurrent of globalization, one’s hold on English communication can make or break their career.
However, most Indian professionals, despite having a decent knowledge of English, struggle when it comes to communicating fluently, be it orally or in writing. This extends to freshers too who find it hard to get a job because of poor communication skills. In fact, according to a recent survey by Aspiring Minds, 50% of engineering freshers lose out on jobs because of lack of English language skills.
As such, skilled mentors who have a strong command over the language are and will continue to be in demand as the English language continues to stay one of the most sought-after skills.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutors
A lot of students and professionals who wish to establish a fulfilling career in foreign countries (English-speaking ones) must get through tests like Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In fact, over 3 million candidates from across 140 countries appear for the IELTS alone!
These tests are as tough as they can get and there are no shortcuts to clearing them. To address this need, several ESL courses have come up online. Learning a new language is always a daunting task. Thankfully, the online ecosystem provides enough room and resources to make learning a fun and interactive process.
However, there is still a dearth of good mentors skilled enough to teach students from non-English speaking countries to read, write, understand, and speak English more fluently. So, if you possess a strong hold on English grammar, vocabulary, and communication, and have a passion for the language, this can be your job. A typical ESL tutor online can earn anywhere between Rs. 300 and Rs. 1000 per hour, working at their own convenience!
- K-12 Tutors
Once restricted to higher education, online learning has now started disrupting the K-12 space. The landscape of K-12 learning in India is going through a revolutionary makeover right now, thanks to the evolution of several digital learning formats, from interactive games and hands-on learning methodologies to intuitive learning management systems.
The rapid growth of the online K-12 space is predominantly because the online space recognizes and accommodates every student’s individual learning pace. Add to it the ecosystem’s power of making education fun and interactive, it’s only imperative that more and more students will be drawn to this space.
Students from primary classes to Class 12 are now actively leveraging websites and apps in their search for excellent tutors. The time can’t be riper for teachers to start exploring such websites and put their skills to better use.
- Competitive Exams Tutors
The competitive exams scenario in India is huge. Nearly 25 lakh students appear for JEE and NEET exams alone every year. With the advent of EduTech, the scene is poised to experience a remarkable transformation, with more and more students preferring the online medium to prepare for the exams. In fact, a recent study by Gradeup revealed that over 90% students prefer online modes of learning for exam preparation than offline coaching classes. The reasons for this are a quite apparent: convenience, accessibility, and affordability.
Coaching classes too are gradually moving online, as several mentors find the space more intuitive and resourceful. However, this trend is still in its nascent phase and the demand for online coachers proficient in teaching for competitive exams is soaring.
- Online Curriculum Developers
Online curriculum developers work closely with teachers, administrators and content creators to develop engaging and interactive learning materials. While EduTech is on the rise, it has its own set of challenges; given the ecosystem’s dynamic nature, every e-learning platform must constantly update its content to keep it engaging, lest they run the risk of becoming irrelevant in the space. This is where curriculum developers step in; their job is to develop courses in such a way that they can be constantly updated with newer, more engaging material while sticking to the core of the subject.
An online curriculum developer can earn anywhere between INR 40,000 and 60,000 in a month. It is an ideal job for teachers who have spent a significant amount of time developing their own materials.
To the future That EduTech is transforming the way India learns is amply clear. It is also enabling thousands of female teachers, who were otherwise confined to a stagnant lifestyle due to various reasons, to build enduring careers doing what they love the most. In fact, several online skilling programs like eMaester are providing a platform to reskill/upskill such professionals and helping them earn anywhere between INR 10,000 and 50,000 per month while working at their own convenience. Thanks to technology, we’re all hopefully inching closer to a future where there is no dearth of opportunities for anyone. Fingers crossed!