Life really is too short. And because you never know what’s around the corner, it’s important to live a life that you’re happy with. As part of planning for the future, you might be looking for a career change. And no matter what the reason is behind this, it’s intriguing to see what jobs are out there for you to choose from.
But the process of finding these jobs might feel daunting. To help guide you and give you some inspiration, here is a list of 10 extraordinary jobs you can try:
1. Zookeeper
If you love animals then the perfect career for you could be zookeeping. Managing zoo animals, you’ll be responsible for their daily care – from feeding them to cleaning out their cages. With the number of zoos in the world, there are so many to choose from. This unique job will, however, usually require a bachelor’s degree in either Zoology, biology or a related field.
Alternatively, you could go to community college to attain a degree and gain experience in an internship. Although it’s by no means an easy career to take on, for those that have a passion for animals it could be perfect – plus no two days are the same!
2. Water Slide Tester
Love water slides? Then why not make it into a career? As a professional water slide tester, you’ll be able to have a fun experience at water parks throughout the world. Testing how exciting it is to ride along with how safe it feels, it’s one of the most extraordinary jobs you can get into.
3. Outdoor Guide
If you love spending time in nature, then this job might be just the ticket. Creating an unforgettable experience for guests, you’ll have to show them around a nature park or another environment while telling them fascinating facts. Whether this is in the form of an expedition, bike guide or another type it will get you out into the world.
With this experience, you could travel the world – making it the ultimate job for those with wanderlust. If you love it, you could also set up your own business doing it – which could prove to be very profitable in the long run.
4. Golf Ball Diver
Another fun and extraordinary career for those that love being outdoors, as a Golf Ball Diver you’ll have to get your scuba diving gear on and be prepared for days collecting golf balls from the bottoms of ponds on golf courses. The perfect job for someone looking for a completely unique job, it will undoubtedly be appealing for those who are fed up of sitting behind a screen all day.
5. National Park Ranger
Interested in conservation and nature? This is a wonderful combination of the two. As a National Park Ranger in this country, you’ll work for the National Park Service. In your everyday role, you’ll be educating people on how to care for the environment and ensuring that it’s kept as protected as possible.
If you then want to excel to the next stage and become a park manager, you may have to attain a bachelor’s degree in a related field – although you can typically work your way up after being a ranger for a few years.
6. Master Sommelier
If you’ve always had an interest in wine and how it can be paired with food, then a Master Sommelier might be the career for you. A career that will take you across the world, you’ll learn how to identify wines depending on their grape varieties and other fascinating facts.
Due to its esteemed nature and the steady demand for professionals in this role, it’s also one of the most profitable on this list.
7. A Pilot
Another career that’s ideal for those who love to travel, to become a pilot, you’ll need to obtain a license and to have a certain level of experience (usually over 1,500 hours of flying in most cases). No matter if you want to operate a commercial aircraft, private aircraft or helicopters, you’ll need detailed knowledge about how to operate an aircraft safely.
With an average salary of $110,000, it’s a very fruitful career that you can enjoy for many years.
8. Prospector/Geologist
Perhaps the most unique career on this list, it might not be one that initially comes to mind. But by becoming a prospector, you’ll not only find out where gold can be found around the world, but other incredible minerals. Similarly, a Geologist hunts for natural minerals, with an interest in discovering the history behind them.
9. A Political Scientist
Within this role, you could work either for a nonprofit organization, within a university or for the government. Although it requires both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in political science (or a similar/related field), it can be a very interesting career.
In your everyday role as Political Scientist, you’ll have to identify and understand how policies and laws affect the government, citizens and businesses. You’ll therefore have to have an understanding of politics in practice and theory, as well as how the government functions. Because it is such a full-on role, you can expect to earn an average salary of $115,000 or above.
10. Software Engineer
Another unique and profitable career, to become a Software Engineer, you’ll need knowledge of engineering principles and programming languages. Through this knowledge, you can create software products, build networks, etc.
To get into this role, you will have to take a Bachelor’s degree, Associate degree or attend coding boot camp. After that, to gain the right experience, you’ll have to complete an internship with a technology company – which usually lasts between 6 months and a year. With the skills and experience gained through this, you’ll have a better understanding of the role.
5 Signs You’re Ready for a Change in Career
But how do you know that it’s time for a change? Well, there are certain signs to look out for that indicate it’s the right time for a new career. Of course, everyone is different. And because of this, one sign might not be the same for another. But by looking at the following, if you identify with more than one of the reasons, a switch in career could be the solution:
You Always Dread Monday
If you’re constantly looking forward to the weekend and hate the thought of having to go to work on Monday, it could be time to change careers. You’re obviously not truly happy in what you’re doing in your role – so look for a job that will help you to build on your interests and passions.
You Want to Make an Impact
Do you feel as though you’re not making a lasting impact in your job? Then a new career might be just the ticket. If you’ve always wanted to do a job that makes a difference in the world, then it’s better to take the leap and strive to achieve this sooner rather than later.
You’re Looking For a Change of Pace
No matter what role you’re currently in, if you’re feeling every day as though the pace of it is stressful and more than you can handle, it might be a good idea to find a career that caters for the pace of life you want.
For example, if you’re working within a corporate role, you might be experiencing long 12 hour days filled with working. So instead, you could be considering finding a job that’s more flexible and laid back.
Your Career Doesn’t Fit Your Ideal Lifestyle
As well as fitting with your perfect pace of life, it’s important to find a job that ensures that you can prioritize the important things in life. Find a fruitful and enjoyable career that offers everyday tasks that inspire and intrigue you. And one that at the end of the day, allows you to spend time with your loved ones.
You’re Not Learning Anything New
For a job to be enjoyable in the long term, it needs to allow you to learn new things every day. But if you’ve found that you’re at a stalemate with this and you’re no longer learning within your role, it could be the perfect opportunity to find something new.
Not only does this help improve your thoughts on your job, but it helps to build up your portfolio – making you seem like a more appealing applicant at job interviews in the future.
Final Thoughts
So, there you go! Those are 10 extraordinary jobs you can try if you’re looking for a change in career and 5 signs that it may be time for this. At the end of the day, the career that you switch to is up to you and will depend on your interests, how much you want to earn and where your experience lies.
However, it’s important to always look towards the future and consider where you see yourself and what life you want to lead. Never neglect your career – always follow what you want to do. You don’t want to look back on your life and regret it after all!
