Regardless of last year’s opinions, there is virtually no traditional workplace that can, during an economic recession, still claim to be voted by its workers a “great place to work!” No workplace, that is, besides the Internet.

While employees and employers in every sector-corporate, public, and nonprofit-are eliminating jobs, reducing benefits, closing facilities, and even cutting wages, the Internet is both attracting and retaining an entirely new generation of workers-Internet entrepreneurs. This ‘new generation’ includes newcomers of all ages and stripes-young, old, female, male, gay, straight, physically able and differently-abled. They come from former career tracks as diverse as the trades, professions, education, government, entertainment, sales, marketing; they may be in or out of school; they may be stay-at-home parents; they may be retirees. And none of them need to be geeks or have prior Internet experience. They may be shy in social situations, or as outgoing as the day is long. Sometimes they put their whole identity and livelihood into their online businesses, and other times they set up Internet businesses to generate income so that they can pursue some other kind of dream vocation (writing, theater, travel review, etc.).

The Internet, it turns out, is not in recession-what a refreshing change! In fact, the opposite may be closer to the truth. As traditional businesses and workplaces wobble and even break under the strain of a weakened economy, more and more people turn to the Internet to find solutions to their problems. Unlike brick and mortar structures, which can wear down and lose structural integrity with excessive use, the more the Internet is used, the more robust it becomes.

As a workplace, the Internet has little to no overhead, no commute; no overcrowding, cubicles or misplaced restroom keys; no annoying coworkers or overly demanding bosses. Independent Internet entrepreneurs are paid based on their own efforts and can earn more if they work either harder or smarter-their income is not limited by industry pay scales, budget cuts, or the threat of downsizing, mergers, or closures. Since most Internet Entrepreneurs work from the comfort of their own homes, and entirely on their own time schedules, there is a luxury of flexibility that is virtually unknown in traditional workplaces. Furthermore, most Internet Entrepreneurs put in only a fraction of the hours per week to generate even greater returns than their exhausted counterparts in traditional employment settings.

Is there a downside? Well sure-for some people. It takes a lot of self-direction, good work habits, and the ability to effectively and consistently play the roles of both employer and employee to get the job done. Not everyone can honestly say, “I want to be my own boss!” and then do it. And since Internet-based work is relatively new, most people have a learning curve to scale before they become proficient and profitable. For those who are smart enough to hook up with a company that provides training, support, and systems automation, however, the rewards and returns can be nothing short of life changing.

So, is the Internet a Best Place To Work during a recession? It sure gets my vote; this year and for many years to come.

Be amazed and amazing!

Still scaling the Internet-marketing learning curve, or struggling to get a new online business off the ground? Take Thia’s online Tools For Success survey and qualify for a complimentary 30-minute phone “workout and fitness evaluation” with this Personal Trainer for Internet Marketing Newbies. Learn more about Thia too.

Thia Hamilton, Ph.D., successfully launched her own independent Internet Marketing and Home Business Coaching company in the Spring of 2009. Since then she has been a valuable and trusted role model and mentor to more than 100 adults moving from traditional employment to home-based Internet marketing careers. Assisting and encouraging mid-life, career-changing entrepreneurs is what Thia loves best because she walks the talk! Her expertise, passion for supporting others’ success, and great sense of humor have evolved through 30 years of leadership and management experience in the nonprofit sector. In her long and rewarding career, Thia has been mentor, advocate, friend, and career coach to thousands of individuals as they overcome huge obstacles in order to live prosperous and empowered lives.

She has carried this new passion to help people succeed into her business and is always interested in meeting others who dare to succeed.