Unusual Careers You Never Considered (But Should Have)
Unusual Careers You Never Considered (But Should Have)
It is pretty much a foregone conclusion that the current job market, well, stinks. It is also a well-known adage that desperate times call for desperate measures, and if you are one of the ones that are still out there looking for a job, sending out stacks of resumes with nary a nibble to be had, then perhaps it is time to think outside the box.
There are careers out there that are not exactly your 9 to 5 cubicle environment, but that can provide a challenging and rewarding work experience if you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone. Stop perusing Craigslist for a moment and consider some of the following quirky career paths you should consider.
1) Professional Computer Hacker now hackers make life difficult for all of us at some point or another, but imagine being able to do it, legally, and get paid well for it. Hackers are in high demand to test the various security protocols put in place by software companies. You may work for IT firms, banks, security companies, or even federal government agencies, on the front line of fighting cybercrime and cyber terrorism through security evaluations and troubleshooting.
2) Pet Psychologist no, I am not kidding. There are actually people who believe in taking their pets to be psychologically evaluated, especially when physical examinations yield no discernible cause for the problems Fido is suffering. And you actually need a Ph.D for this one.
3) Storm Chaser ever since the movie TWISTER, storm chasing has been very popular, even spawning a show on Discovery Channel called (get ready) Storm Chasers. While storm chasing remains a recreational activity for many, it is also a highly skilled professional endeavor involving meteorologists, weather forecasting, conducting research on cloud (and yes, tornado) formations. Those with a thrill seeking streak may enjoy this one.
4) Food Taster I particularly like this one. Also known as "Professional Eater", this job entails tasting new foods and recipes and determining their "flavoribility". The job is usually conducted in laboratory settings, with controlled lighting, air, and no outside disturbances. Professional tasters need to be discerning eaters who take time with their food. There are even schools offering certification in this specialty. Really.
5) Voice Acting This is the term for actors who are heard but never seen, either through providing voices for cartoon characters or voice overs for radio and television commercials. It is a tough field to break into, but once you have that successful "in", you can expect a unique and rewarding career.
6) Conlinguist if you think learning a new language is difficult, try making one up from scratch. A conlinguist does just that, creating languages such as the verbiage spoken by the Klingons in STAR TREK, or the various characters in the STAR WARS movies. Actor James Doohan, who played Scotty on the original STAR TREK was credited for coming up with the Klingon language first heard in STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE in 1979.
7) Image Consultant Do you enjoy working with clothes, wardrobe, and coming up with just the perfect look? Then perhaps a career as an Image Consultant is for you. These folks are hired by people who spend a lot of time in the public eye, such as CEO's, speakers, singers, etc. and want to look their absolute best at all times. The Image Consultant can determine what colors fit a person best, if these pants make their legs look too short, of if the 70's are calling and want their hairstyle back.
8) Aerial Cinematographer if you love photography and aren't afraid of heights, this may be for you. Aerial Cinematographers take still photos and film footage from airplanes or helicopters, while some of the more daring among them strap cameras to their helmets and go skydiving. Film school is the best place to start working toward such a career.
9) NASCAR Pit Crew want an exciting career involving changing one tire or filling a tank with gas? Pit Crew jobs are incredibly specialized. One person does one thing and they know more about that one thing than anybody else in the world. It may sound boring, but 90% of the time you'll have some of the best seats in the house for virtually every NASCAR race each season!
10) Smokejumper this is the crazy first cousin to being a firefighter. Smokejumpers are firefighters who parachute into fires located in areas far too remote for easy access by traditional firefighting equipment (such as tanker trucks). Smokejumpers are considered the elite of the firefighting corps, and candidates must meet rigorous physical and mental conditions.
So there you have it, ten jobs that are decidedly outside of the cubicle world. If you are looking for something a little different (okay, a LOT different) and don't mind putting in the sweat required to get there, then a career outside the beaten corporate path may be for you.
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