Skill career

A Skill career is a kind of careers that was introduced in The Sims 3: Ambitions expansion pack.

"We’ve implemented something we call “Skill Careers” so that players who have Sims who are fishermen, inventors, writers, and more can now register as self-employed at City Hall. We’ve added the consignment store venue in town so that players who create things like paintings or find things like jewels can earn a profit and take advantage of their Sims’ entrepreneurial spirits."

Skill careers work the same way as ordinary careers except that, since Sims are registered as "self-employed" and promotions are linked entirely to money earned. Only skills that produce items - Painting, Sculpting, Fishing, Gardening, Inventing, Writing, Photography and Nectar making - are able to be used in skill careers, with Photography and Nectar making available only if The Sims 3: World Adventures is installed. These careers are also available for teenagers.

The first level of promotion requires sales of approximately §30. However, money earned through the consignment store does not seem to register, at least for Nectar making.

"'When your sims have knowledge of several of our existing skills, including sculpting and inventing from Ambitions, they can register as being 'self-employed.'"

Registering as self-employed
Adult sims with at least one skill level can use the phone to "Register as self employed", then go to the city hall to do some paperwork.

Advancement
The way for the sim to advance in their career is to earn money by making and selling objects that are related to their career. Obviously, a sim cannot advance by making and selling objects he did not register as, such as a self-employed inventor making sculptures.

Payment
As well as earning money from their creations, self-employed sims will also get cash weekly with no catches. This amount of money varies with the level of skill the sim has, as well as how many promotions he or she has gained. Upon promotion, the sim will also gain some money, again varying on what promotion it is.

Angler (Fishing)
Sims in this career earn promotions based on the amount of money earned through selling fish.

Note that only fish count towards an angler's promotion. Objects found by fishing can still be sold but the money earned from the sale will not affect the angler's earnings. The fish must be sold to the supermarket.

Gardener
Sims in this career earn promotions based on the amount of money earned through growing plants.

Note that a gardener doesn't have to grow the produce, just sell it. Because of this, a gardener can easily earn income and promotions by harvesting from their neighbor's garden or community gardens.

Invenor
Sims in this career earn promotions based on the amount of money earned through inventions.

Painter
Sims in this skill career earn advancements by selling the paintings they produce on the Artsy Easel.

Note that paintings that are hung up on the wall don't count.

Photographer
Sims in this career earn promotions based on the amount of money earned through taking & selling photos.

Sculptor
Sims in this career earn promotions based on the amount of money earned through selling their sculptures.

Sculptors may sell their creations right off the stand or through buy mode to receive credit towards promotion. Any object made at the Pedestrian Sculpting Station will count towards promotion.

Housemates' sculptures do not count towards the sculptor's career experience (neither do the decorations in buy mode).

After selling §25,000 of sculptures (as a self-employed sculptor) the sim may receive a Successful Sculptor's Medal from City Hall (Epic Hero Medal).

Writer
Sims in this career earn promotions based on the amount of money earned through writing novels.

Chapter submission revenue counts towards the money earned and thus promotion.