If you have expertise in a particular field, you can consider becoming a subject matter expert or SME. Businesses need experts who can help them keep up with the latest trends in the industry.
What's more, many remote job opportunities are available for SMEs. Read on to learn what a subject matter expert is and the online jobs available for SMEs.
What Is a Subject Matter Expert?
A subject matter expert has extensive knowledge and experience in a specific field or discipline. As an SME, you are considered an industry authority and valued for your insights and expert guidance.
SMEs can provide valuable input on projects, offer solutions to complex problems, and contribute expertise to enhance the quality of products and services. Any company will benefit from your knowledge. You can work in various industries, including:
- Technology
- Healthcare
- Finance
- Education
- Manufacturing and Engineering
- Government
- Marketing and Advertising
- Legal
- Environment
The duties of a subject matter expert vary based on the industry and specific role. However, you can expect to have these general duties as an SME:
- Provide guidance and expertise on a variety of topics. SMEs may be asked to provide input on technical issues, develop training materials, and facilitate workshops.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest trends. This means reading industry publications, attending conferences, and networking with other experts.
- Develop and maintain relationships with other professionals. SMEs must develop and maintain strong connections to give the best possible output.
- Communicate effectively. SMEs need to be able to explain concepts clearly and concisely. They should also know how to adjust their communication style to different audiences, including technical professionals, business leaders, and the general public.
The Top 7 Online Jobs for Subject Matter Expert
Several online job opportunities are available for SMEs. Your specialized knowledge and skills can benefit businesses, nonprofits, academic institutions, and other organizations. Here are several online jobs for you if you want to be an SME.
1. HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
HARO is a platform that connects journalists and reporters with subject matter experts. Journalists often need expert sources to quote for their articles. As an SME, you can help these reporters and share your knowledge. In return, you gain exposure through news publications and build credibility.
To sign up as a HARO source, go to the HARO website. Click on I'm a Source to read the rules first. HARO has stringent requirements for their SMEs, so carefully review each to avoid being banned permanently. Here are some of them:
- You should be an expert on the topic to which you're responding.
- Never plagiarize. Your responses must be your own.
- Stay on topic.
- Don't use the HARO site to acquire backlinks. You can use the best link-building services for that, not HARO.
If you agree to the rules, click Sign Up. Fill up the form to receive your daily HARO emails. According to the site, you'll receive three emails every weekday containing requests from reporters and media outlets worldwide. You can respond directly to the reporter if you have expert knowledge on any of the topics.
2. Online Teacher or Tutor
Online teaching and tutoring platforms enable SMEs to share their expertise with students worldwide. As an SME, you can help students overcome academic hurdles or learn a new skill while earning a supplemental income.
Some online tutoring platforms provide ready-made lesson plans that you just have to follow. However, some will require you to create your own. Aside from lesson planning, you might be asked to create slides and provide personalized feedback for each student.
You can use one of the best platforms to start a successful online tutoring career. Platforms like Course Hero pay you to answer student questions in various subjects like computer science, business, biology, psychology, and statistics. Others, like Preply, let you set online tutoring hours and rates.
Alternatively, you can learn how to start your own online tutoring business and make your own rules. You have to do your own marketing, but Facebook and Instagram can help you with that. You can also use awesome educational websites for kids to reduce your preparation time. Sites like Teachers Pay Teachers, Slidesgo, and BrainPOP, will make your lessons fun and engaging.
3. Consultant
As consultants, SMEs can offer their expertise to companies, nonprofits, and other organizations. You would help these entities solve problems, improve processes, develop strategies, and make informed decisions.
You can work freelance or look for a full-time remote job. As you gain experience and grow your network, you'll slowly build your credibility as a consultant and subject matter expert. If this sounds like a role for you, start with these steps:
- Define your niche: What are you an expert in? What are you most passionate about? Consultants work in various fields like the environment, finance, and information technology. Once you know your niche, you can develop your expertise and build your reputation as a go-to source in your industry.
- Network with other professionals: Follow networking tips for career advancement. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and connect with other experts. This will help you learn new things, build connections, and find clients.
- Create a solid online presence: Develop a website and optimize your social media profiles to showcase your expertise.
- Look for clients or a full-time job as a consultant: Use job websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn to look for consultant jobs.
4. Team Lead
As a team leader, an SME is in charge of a team's overall administration, monitoring, and development. You identify new and emerging platforms in which to grow and upskill; audit work done by team members; develop and implement strategies to improve team performance; and recruit coach, and mentor team members.
Being a subject matter expert is not always required to become a team lead. However, many companies understand that an SME might fit into a team lead role well. Your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and communication skills will be invaluable in handling a team of professionals.
If you're interested in a career as a team lead, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. Develop strong technical skills and knowledge. You should also develop leadership and interpersonal skills. First, gain experience in a team environment to better understand the dynamics of working with a team.
5. IT Service Desk Support
SMEs are often needed in IT desk support roles to solve complex issues. As an SME, you can provide quick resolutions and valuable guidance to customers and staff. Your primary goal is to help companies provide better service for their clients.
SMEs with technical expertise can provide IT service desk support to clients through email, chat, phone calls, and formal request assistance. You may be asked to upgrade technology, create and maintain documentation for IT systems and processes, train IT desk support staff, and provide input on IT projects.
6. Academic Evaluator
An academic evaluator evaluates and supports students in the completion of educational programs. You'll meet and communicate with students online, identifying their roadblocks, giving feedback, and sharing your expertise. You might also be asked to do the following tasks:
- Review and evaluate student credentials
- Process degree completion applications
- Analyze student progress
As an SME, an academic evaluator is expected to have a high knowledge of a specific field. For instance, if you're an academic evaluator for students in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, then you should be able to provide expert guidance on completing an MBA degree.
7. Training Specialist
SMEs can use their expertise to onboard, train, and assess team members. As a training specialist, you should be adept in assessing training needs to design and deliver accurate and relevant training. You can work as an online trainer in corporate training departments, consulting firms, independent training businesses, or any other organization with training needs.
Trainers are highly in demand as organizations recognize the need for employees to upskill. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an expected 8 percent growth in the employment outlook for training specialists between 2021 and 2031, which surpasses the average growth rate for all occupations.
Find Online Jobs as a Subject Matter Expert
Subject matter experts offer a wealth of knowledge and experience. If you're passionate about acquiring in-depth knowledge and sharing your expertise, this is the role for you. Whether teaching, consulting, or leading a team, there's no shortage of online job opportunities for SMEs.
Digital tools have opened opportunities for professionals to thrive in the online space. As businesses go digital, expect to find more work-from-home jobs online. Explore the best websites to find remote work and start your journey toward a fulfilling career.
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