PET SITTER

Here's good news: You can start pet sitting right now, before you even get out of school! All you need to do is ask your neighbors if you can watch their pets while they're away. You can do it for free until you gain experience, or you can charge for your services right from the get-go. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll find work.

Another great way to prepare for a pet-sitting career is by finding work in any field that involves animal care. With experience working for a veterinarian, a pet shop, a groomer, or any other pet care operation, you'll learn what it takes to work with animals as well as gain connections in the pet care world.

To make real money at pet sitting, you'll need to do it full-time. And to work full-time you should have at least a high-school diploma. It's difficult running your own business, and a solid education will help you to succeed. Do well in your math, business, and science courses and you'll have a good foundation for starting out on your own.

The keys to a successful pet-sitting operation are hard work and good references. Once you work for a few customers and show them how well you do your job, they'll pass around your name to friends. Before you know it, you'll have more work than you can handle.

If you decide you want to take it to the next level, you may get certified through Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. PSI and NAPPS offer courses in animal health and care, how to run a business, and other subjects. The courses can be taken at home by reading books and watching educational videos. When you're through studying, you can take a test to prove you learned the material. If you pass, you'll be certified. Although certification is strictly voluntary, it gives you credibility. Pet owners see that you're certified and know you're a professional. And that, after all, is what running a business is all about.