by Carol Nissenbaum

Created on: May 13, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I originally began my current job as an at-home editor for a large scientific publisher nearly 10 years ago. I had to go to their office three times a week for training, dragging my then-4-year-old daughter with me. It was tough in the beginning, as she soon began kindergarten, and I had to run a marathon between the school, the office, and home, not to mention trying to get my editing done with two small kids!

Luckily my schedule soon changed to only twice a week at the office, and then it became truly an at-home job. I felt like I was smuggling drugs, as I would drop off a big black bag and switch it out for a similar bag of new work. I did this for several years and it became easier as time went on, although tedious.

In 2004, an opportunity to learn the program XML arose. I was the first to volunteer, because I anticipated that in the future editing on paper would be virtually obsolete. I had to go through a lot of in-house training (their office, not my house), but eventually mastered the skills necessary. About a year and a half ago, another opportunity presented itself and I was able to learn another program that almost eliminates the need to ever go into the office! Now, I simply log in, pick up my files electronically, edit them, and log them back in to the system.

After having driven back and forth for 8+ years 40 miles round-trip, this is so great! And, with the price of gas topping out on Long Island at $4.00 a gallon, I am saving so much on gas, and on wear and tear on my car and on me. I can log in whenever I feel like, in my pajamas, if I so desire, and work as much or as little as I want.

I can listen to my favorite music while I work, take a break to walk the dog, meet a friend for lunch, go to the mall, or even take a quick nap, so long as I get my work done by the deadline.

Time management and discipline are important when you work online at home. It is too easy to get distracted by e-mails, games, and eBay when you are online. I try and concentrate on the job only, when I am working, so that I can give it 100%. My job is very technical and requires total concentration, which is probably why they established an at-home "cottage" staff of editors. While my kids are at school I try to work as many hours as I can. The best part is, if I want to do something else, I have the flexibility to go out during the day and make up the hours in the evening or at night, when the house has calmed down.

One drawback of working at home is that everybody thinks you're

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