Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

Why is it too late....IT is very easy to get into, you don't need a formal degree like many other fields.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

I highly doubt that they will let you do that. I would try to get them to allow you to add a second telework day. If that goes well over an extended period, maybe you can try to go to 3 days. But your job sounds like one where you really need to be in the office a good chunk of the time, so I am not sure your goal is realistic. And if your skills aren't terribly unique, there doesn't sound like much of a reason for the company to bend over backwards to meet your request.

Software developers probably have the most flexibility of anyone...especially if you are a sought after programmer with good credentials.

Anonymous wrote:I've been with a large defense company for 18 years. In '15, my office in Arlington closed and I was offered work from home or commute to DC. I chose WFH. I'm still in shock that I have this luxury to work all day in pajamas while I work. I'm one of the very few at my company who have this luxury; I just lucked out. Right place and the right time.

Odd that they didn't make you work in the office. Arlington -> DC isn't exactly like Arlington -> NYC. There actually are people who commute from Arlington to DC and survive.

I've been with a large defense company for 18 years. In '15, my office in Arlington closed and I was offered work from home or commute to DC. I chose WFH. I'm still in shock that I have this luxury to work all day in pajamas while I work. I'm one of the very few at my company who have this luxury; I just lucked out. Right place and the right time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

Start your own event planning or management business. I wanted to work from home (really, bed) full-time, so I left a cushy government job and started my own company. I haven't looked back since.

- Posted from bed while watching trashy tv.

Ah, this is my dream!!!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

Start your own event planning or management business. I wanted to work from home (really, bed) full-time, so I left a cushy government job and started my own company. I haven't looked back since.

- Posted from bed while watching trashy tv.

OP here. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Unfortunately, it's too late for me to get into IT. I guess my best bet is to convert my current job to a full time WFH. I don't think what I do is a niche, and not sure the company would allow it, since a large part of my job is event management.

I'm a DC lawyer who was totally burned out in biglaw, so I scoured the job listings and found a Chicago company looking for an in-house lawyer with my very niche specialty. The location said Chicago with "possibility" of telecommuting for right candidate. I applied, got the job, and have been there for five years. I lucked out because very few lawyers have this niche practice. But man, it is great to have my own home office. I have to go to Chicago for a few days every month or two, but it's worth it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My path to WFH nearly full-time:
1) work at a consulting firm with offices all over the country
2) be good at my job
3) approach a director based out of Chicago about working with her team
4) she's happy to have me, and allow me to work remotely, because of 2)
5) never go into my home office again! (well, almost never, i usually go in 3-4x a month)

Another guy in my office WFH almost full-time because the director he works with decided to move to another city.

Pretty similar path except

3) got pregnant
4) work offered me the option to work from home because of my kid
5) I've been to the office 3x in the last 10 years.

pretty much the same except

3) had kids and decided that I was happy being a worker bee and didn't want to be in management

Anonymous wrote:My path to WFH nearly full-time:
1) work at a consulting firm with offices all over the country
2) be good at my job
3) approach a director based out of Chicago about working with her team
4) she's happy to have me, and allow me to work remotely, because of 2)
5) never go into my home office again! (well, almost never, i usually go in 3-4x a month)

Another guy in my office WFH almost full-time because the director he works with decided to move to another city.

Pretty similar path except

3) got pregnant
4) work offered me the option to work from home because of my kid
5) I've been to the office 3x in the last 10 years.

go into an IT career--particularly one that involves programming. Lots of telecommute options there. Non-profit work? Not so much.

My path to WFH nearly full-time:
1) work at a consulting firm with offices all over the country
2) be good at my job
3) approach a director based out of Chicago about working with her team
4) she's happy to have me, and allow me to work remotely, because of 2)
5) never go into my home office again! (well, almost never, i usually go in 3-4x a month)

Another guy in my office WFH almost full-time because the director he works with decided to move to another city.

Pipe dream to get your regular job to let you WFH 24/7. Even full-time telecommute jobs aren't bountiful but you can find them. It just depends on your field.

Is it easier to convert an existing job to a full time work from home or is it easier to find one that allows telecommuting full time? Currently, I work from home on Fridays in a non profit. I'm finding it difficult to juggle daycare, work, the long commute. It is also my desire to move out of this area due to high cost of living.