When it comes to becoming a teacher, lawyer, photographer, or manager, we all know the necessary steps and qualifications we need to get our foot in the door. But what if you don’t want to apply for a traditional 9-to-5 job? What if your dream job delves into the realm of unique and unconventional? What can you do to make it happen?
Well, if this sounds like you, then the good news is that it is not as hard as you think to make it happen.
Take the following 15 careers:
All are considered unconventional; however, they are more accessible than you might think.
1. Air traffic control
Every time you step onto a plane to go on holiday or travel to a business meeting, air traffic controllers are always around to ensure that your journey goes off without a hitch. In fact, their job is to manage and keep aircraft safe by providing pilots with details of the flight. This can range from where and when to land, to monitoring and tracking flights, to communicating instructions to pilots (while stationed in the airport control towers).
In addition, they will advise pilots on the weather and how it may impact or influence their journey, and they will coordinate traffic around the terminals, i.e., passenger buses, ground crew, and aircraft.
Now, given the level of responsibility that comes with this job, it is unsurprising that the average salary for air traffic controllers is £31,320 per year.
2. Robotic Engineer
Robotic engineers specialise in building machines that are capable of performing human actions and duties, i.e., automated jobs such as aerospace, manufacturing, and medicine. On top of this, robotic engineers assist in the configuration of software systems that control these machines and also help with testing and analysing prototypes and robotic machines until they are ready to go into main production.
On average, robotic engineers earn around £40,117 a year.
Education: Anyone interested in this career needs to have a strong background in math, physics, and computers, all of which you can explore in college or by completing online courses. Once you have a solid background in these subjects, you can use these online qualifications to apply for an engineering degree. Combined, you will have everything you need to step onto the career ladder and make your mark.
3. Food Technologist
This area of food science focuses on the research and development, production, preservation, and quality control of food products. As a food technologist, you will plan recipes and supervise their creation on a mass scale.
Due to the nature of this job, you will get to work in a variety of different settings, including kitchens, laboratories, facilities, and offices, and will assist in the maintenance of hygienic food safety standards.
In addition, food technologists often collaborate with marketing departments to help in the promotion of their new products.
Typically, food technologists earn up to £28,000 a year, but it can be more depending on who you’re working for.
Education: There are numerous qualifications you can complete to help you pursue this career. Naturally, a background in food hygiene, marketing, and working as a chef will help. Fortunately, you can complete a variety of food hygiene and marketing qualifications online, so you can focus on building up your experience as a chef. In fact, online courses can afford you the flexibility to continue working as you learn, as you can finish these courses at a time, pace, and location of your choosing. Now, if you’re applying as a chef or are completing a culinary course, the experience you’ll acquire in these practical settings will help you apply for this post. However, being knowledgeable about the food industry and marketing will give you an added advantage.
4. Animator
If you love drawing and have the ability to replicate images again and again, then working as an animator could be the career for you. You see, animation involves the use of photographs of successive models, drawings, and puppets in order to create the illusion that your characters are moving. At the same time, you will be tasked with developing scenes, characters, and backgrounds, as well as being asked to create character sketches.
Animators also work with voice actors, storytellers, designers, and photographers to help make commercials, video games, films, and graphics.
In terms of salaries, the average for animators is nearly £33,000.
Education: While you need a natural talent for art, drawing, photography, and computers, you can broaden your skillset by completing additional online photography courses and art degrees. These qualifications will offer you the means to practise and learn new skills while expanding your portfolio.
5. Park Ranger
No matter the country you live in, park rangers play an essential role in taking care of woodlands, green spaces, and animal habitats where people visit. On a day-to-day basis, you will be expected to plant trees, manage ponds, and plan or create new and safe habitats to help protect animals, plants, and birds. In addition, you will be asked to oversee guided walks, assist in educational visits, exhibitions, and resource centres, and support visitor management and conservation.
Salaries can vary for park rangers, but typically they earn around £21,905 a year.
Education: a background in animal care and conservation is essential in this field. You can start building this knowledge by completing some online animal care courses; however, experience and a degree in conservation will make a massive difference to your career prospects.
6. Meteorologist
If you have a passion for meteorology, space, atmospheric forces, changing weather conditions, and the earth’s atmosphere, then working as a meteorologist could be for you. As a meteorologist, it will be your job to predict the weather and study its impact on the world. To help with this, meteorologists use mathematical and computerised models to make short- and long-range forecasts on climate and weather patterns.
In addition to making weather predictions, you will also measure temperatures, humidity, and air pressure, as well as code weather reports and send them to news reporters.
Salaries for meteorologists are higher than you might think, at £35,000+ a year.
Education: a background in geography, science, and math will help you get started in this profession; however, a degree is strongly recommended.
7. Content writer
Content writers get to create content for a variety of social media platforms, blogs, and websites. From producing entire web content to writing articles, newsletters, press releases, and landing pages, your role will be to entice readers into buying or testing out a business’s products or services. To assist in the creation of captivating content, you will be expected to research and capture the voice of the company’s brand, as well as edit and proofread their own copy creations.
Salaries for content writers can greatly vary depending on where you live, who you’re working for, and if you are writing in-house or as a freelancer. On average, though, you can earn approximately £25,000 a year.
Education: being able to write and vary your writing style is just the first step towards becoming a content writer. To bolster your portfolio, it is recommended that you complete online creative writing courses and marketing/social media qualifications. In turn, it is important that you develop a portfolio to help showcase your writing ability. As you become more experienced, you will be able to charge more.
8. Food Specialist
Unlike food technicians, food specialists work directly with restaurants to help plan menus and prepare meals, while also working hard to cook a client’s meal to their desired preference. In turn, they will be involved in the ordering of food to ensure there is plenty in the restaurant.
Alongside cooking in the kitchen, food specialists ensure food safety practises are met by all employees and will always endeavour to improve the flavour and taste of their meals.
Education: to succeed in this career, you will need a background in food hygiene and safety practises, as well as a degree in the culinary arts. Training in a restaurant environment or working your way up as an apprentice chef is another option you can explore.
9. Authorised Underwriter
Earning an average of £42,000 a year, underwriters play a key role within the mortgage and insurance industries, as well as in the equity markets. In addition, they are expected to assess the risk and liability associated with outgoing insurance; they will evaluate loan applications, their risk, and whether an applicant can get it; and they will assess an applicant’s credit history, loan sizes, assets, and medical history.
Education: qualifications in math are a must for this job, with an expectation of a degree.
10. Travel Consultant
Offering an average salary of £23,124 a year, travel consultants are expected to travel a lot and have substantial knowledge of different countries, their weather, geography, and history. They are also expected to be able to offer travel advice, book flights, organise hotels, and help clients make travel plans.
Education: experience is pivotal in this career; however, you can expand your prospects by acquiring qualifications in geography.
11. Personal Fitness Trainer
Personal fitness trainers aspire to help their customers achieve their fitness and weight management goals by carrying out fitness assessments and tailoring their plans to suit their fitness levels, health, and long-term goals. In addition to creating personalised training plans, fitness trainers will also show clients how to correctly use equipment, eat right, and monitor their achievements while constantly striving to bolster their motivation levels and self-esteem.
On average, personal trainers earn around £27,000 a year, but this can vary depending on where and who you work for.
Education: a background in fitness and nutrition is essential. Fortunately, there are a number of online nutrition, weight management, and personal trainer courses you can take that will allow you to study while you build up your experience in a gym.
12. Sound Engineer
Also known as music mixers, audio engineers, and sound technicians, sound engineers help to design and set up audio equipment, i.e., microphones and speaker systems, at concerts and musical events. On top of this, they are in charge of performing sound checks for artists and audiences and will often collaborate with performers, producers, and directors to help them achieve their artistic vision.
On average, sound engineers earn £24,000+ a year.
Education: qualifications in engineering combined with musical knowledge will help you get started in this unique niche (as you will need to understand sounds, rhythms, and music).
13. Event Manager
Event managers don’t just plan weddings and birthday parties. Many businesses will hire event managers to help them organise conferences, business events, and even author signings.
As an event manager, you will be expected to manage both small and large-scale events, e.g., conferences, festivals, and ceremonies, as well as ensure a client’s needs and goals are always met. From pre-planning and making all the food, entertainment, and location bookings to being the last person to leave at the end of the event, event managers are involved in the process from start to finish, making sure everything runs smoothly.
Salary: up to £30,000 a year.
Education: fantastic organisational skills are a must, as well as having event management and general management skills in your arsenal. A lot of these qualifications can be earned by completing online event management courses; however, you can also attend college or university to get them.
14. Sommelier
If you love wine, then you’ll love working as a sommelier. It is their job to know wine and the best ways to serve it. Often referred to as ‘wine waiters’ or ‘stewards’, sommeliers can be found in cafes, wine bars, and hotels and are expected to help create wine lists and help customers make wine choices.
Salary: £26,741 on average per year.
Education: experience is more important in this niche, as is extensive training and knowledge on the wine-making process.
15. Aircraft Refueler
Responsible for the maintenance and filling of aircraft at airports, aircraft refuelers must follow strict safety guidelines to ensure planes are safe and ready for take-off. They are also expected to perform maintenance checks and conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections, as well as take emergency precautions in the event of fires and spillages, so everyone remains safe from harm.
Salary: £31,706 a year
Education: hands-on experience and knowledge of mechanics and engineering will assist you in this role.
As you can see, while these 15 careers may be considered unconventional, acquiring the skills, knowledge, and training you need to apply for them is easier than you think. So if you fancy breaking out of the mould, why not explore these careers today? Whether at college, university, or from the comfort of your own home, making your dreams a reality is within your reach.
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