During a global pandemic, when the world seems to have been shut down, our work suffers as much as the economy does. Especially for researchers, going out for population surveys, data collection and collaboration with fellow researchers, students and professors, everything come to a halt. Journal call for papers suffer majorly as you are out of research topics and information to work on. In-person approvals are paused and you barely have access to laboratory equipment to proceed with a research. A locked life also means financial losses. You cannot earn your stipends when you cannot continue teaching; you don’t receive funds when your research is not on. You have to find a different option to survive. Work from home facilities have really made things easier these days. With the growth of technology, we now have access to high-speed internet and using that we can deliver almost everything through web services. Yes, it is possible to have a productive life today even while at home:
- Be a Writer with Your Half-Done Work First– You may have worked partially on a mini research earlier, but had stopped it halfway due to something. Finish that first. Start writing that book whose findings and facts are already with you. Access required materials that are available online and keep writing. It can probably be the best time to write a complete book, when your findings are with you, because this is when you cannot go out to work or office, no social meetings or gatherings, no obliging ceremonies. A complete in-home environment can be really motivating if you start writing your book and look forward to getting it published.
- Be a Peer-Reviewer– With emergence of open-access publications, demand for peer-reviewers are on the high. The added benefit is that, these works are fulfilled and delivered online, so they can be done from anywhere in the world; no location restriction. Peer-reviews are performed by scientific experts who have specialized knowledge on the scope of the journal. Hence, for a researcher, taking up the part-time work of a peer-reviewer can be an added mileage to the existing skills. To successfully publish the journal call for papers, editors are always in look out for good peer-reviewers, and this profession can be an excellent alternative while staying home, for your academic growth.
- Engage in Music– Probably, the most relaxing and creative way to be productive, is music. Though music may not be everyone’s cup of tea but there is hardly anyone in the world who doesn’t like music. If you ever had the hobby or passion for a particular instrument, this is the time to touch its strings and chord. Start with low expectations from yourself. You don’t become a Mozart overnight; be patient, keep practicing. Its great for mental health during a depressive state of affairs. Learning music can be peaceful and motivating for your work too. When you learn a bit, you can share your knowledge with others. You can earn by teaching music or you can just do it for your happiness.
- Be a Part-Time Scientific Writer– Many technical organizations and telecommunication companies are on lookout for technical writers and scientific writers for content creation. They need someone who has the knowledge of science and the skills of scientific writing. These positions are usually work-from-home structure. Also, many scientific journals require writers to build their website with content regarding what is scientific writing, methodology tips, relevance to scope etc. Sometime, they require data collection on certain topics and subjects or situations. You can always use your skills to help them when you are home. Not a bad option to earn on a temporary basis.
- Be a Grant Writer– Many non-profit organizations require writers to develop proposal for getting funding for multiple purposes from larger business organizations or the Government. Many other young researchers who want to attend to journal call for paper, need tips to receive funding for their work. Now it is your regular job as a research scientist to prepare funding proposals, right? Then why not do the same job and earn some money from home?
- Do Some Baking- Good food gives instant gratification to the body and mind. Satisfying taste is pleasurable, more so, you create it with your own hands. Baking takes patience too; it’s a science which involves precision and measurements, and the ultimate satisfaction of watching your goods puff up with pride is immeasurable. If you have an oven, get on it. Even if you are just starting off, there are tons of simple recipes of cupcakes and breads on the internet. Baking can give therapeutic relief during a lock-down mode of life. Additionally, if your goods turn out well, you can even sell them. You can always start with something new; you never know, you can open your own bakery from here.
- Teach Online– If you are a life-long academician, teaching can be the best part of doing something, even from home. In a lock-down situation, especially COVID-19, online learning is also taking a soar. Even schools and regular colleges are trying to implement online learning, so you can associate yourself with that. There are several web platforms which are specialized for making online courses available to students. Enroll yourself as an instructor there. Use your niche knowledge to develop quality content for needy students and make money (as more students register to your course). Keep an eye for journal call for papers; many young researchers or upcoming scientific authors require training and coaching on how to write and submit research paper during these times. Make a platform or your own website to assist them with your experienced knowledge in the field. You can actually earn lot more as an independent instructor, than affiliated teacher.
COVID-19 has shown us, that life in home exists and anything can happen anytime on this earth. We have no control on the circumstances, but we have control on our lives. If we want to be productive, we can find and develop ways of doing so, even from home.
