Trying to figure out your career path as a high school student can be stressful. But don’t worry, it is very normal to be still figuring out what you are passionate about and what you want to do for a career.
In fact, only 13% of students have a clear idea of what they want to do after they graduate. For some students, they don’t like the idea of a “cookie cutter” job. They want to find a unique job that pays well and is also fun and fulfilling.
Here are 5 unusual jobs that are not well known but have a positive career outlook:
- Commercial Diver
- Voice Over Artist
- Wind Turbine Technician
- Certified Ethical Hacker
- Food Taster
In this blog post, we’ll cover 5 uncommon jobs and explore what each job entails, some different industries you can work in, the education you’ll need, and the expected average salary.
What are some uncommon jobs?
While exploring various careers, you’ll commonly hear about traditional jobs in the medical field, tech industry, or business field. But, there are a ton of jobs out there that are not as well known. Here are some uncommon jobs to consider:
1. Commercial Diver
Job Overview: Do you like swimming and exploring bodies of water? Then this unusual job may be the one for you! A commercial diver is a certified, professional diver that does a variety of work underwater that can range from welding to operating a camera.
There are many industries available for divers to work in, including:
- Oil and gas industries
- Engineering
- Scientific research
- Mass media
- Military
- Law enforcement
Education: Depending on what industry you want to work in, a degree in engineering or biology is recommended to become a commercial diver. But many industries just have basic requirements to become a commercial diver: have a high school diploma, have strong swimming skills, go to a doctor and pass a physical for diving, and earn a certification from a diving school to gain more experience.
Salary: Based on the industry, the average salary for commercial divers is $50,000.
2. Voice Over Artist
Job Overview: Did you ever feel inspired watching cartoons as a kid and hearing the funny voices and impressions? If so, then you may have what it takes to be a voice over artist. A voice over artist is a type of actor, but only their voice is recorded.
There are many different industries and types of work that voice over artists can do:
- Commercials
- Video Games
- Audiobooks
- Various video and audio mediums
Education: To become a voice over artist, there is no formal degree required, but it does help to have a college degree or experience in theater or musical theater. Many voice over artists find their gigs through talent agencies, auctions, or even find opportunities by being a freelancer.
Salary: Being a voice over artist is a unique, well-paying job. Depending on your technique and years of experience, the average salary for a voice over artist is $92,194.
3. Wind Turbine Technician
Job Overview: Do you like the feel of the wind in your hair? Do you not fear heights? Do you have a passion for sustainable energy? If you answered yes to these questions, then being a wind turbine technician may be the right career for you.
A wind turbine technician’s primary duties consist of installing and maintaining wind turbines. This is a great opportunity for those who love working outside, who aren’t afraid of heights, and who have a passion for learning about how machinery works.
Education: After graduating with your high school diploma, getting a bachelor’s degree in engineering can help in this career field. But, an engineering degree is not required to become a wind turbine technician. Many aspiring wind turbine technicians choose to attend a trade school for a specific wind turbine technician program.
Salary: The average salary for wind turbine technicians is $57,320.
4. Certified Ethical Hacker
Job Overview: Have you ever wanted to be the “man behind the desk” like in a spy movie? Or, have you been inspired by Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds?
If this sounds like you, becoming a certified ethical hacker may be the perfect uncommon job for you. A certified ethical hacker ensures the security and stability of a company’s systems by looking for weaknesses, often by thinking like a bad hacker who could cause damage to a business.
Certified ethical hackers can work in a variety of industries like:
- Finance companies
- Government agencies
- IT companies
- And more!
Education: To become a certified ethical hacker, computer science is a great college degree to help you get started on this unique career path.
After earning your degree, there are several certifications that are highly recommended to show future employers your knowledge and capabilities. The common certifications that are recommended are called: CompTIA A+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), and CompTIA Network+.
Salary: This uncommon job pays especially well. With a strong educational background in computer science and years of experience, the average certified ethical hacker can make $107,023 per year.
5. Food Taster
Job Overview: Have you ever eaten food that made you wish you could eat it for a living? Maybe you can!
As a food taster, you not only get to taste food, but also analyze the texture, aroma, and other factors that make up the dish. Most food tasters work in a lab where they can perform various tests and analyze the samples of food that they are testing.
There are several types of companies that employ food tasters, including:
- Food testing companies
- Restaurants and breweries
- Retailer like supermarkets
- Wholesale Distributors
Education: Becoming a food taster starts with getting a degree in food science or graduating from a culinary school. Attending a palette training course is also recommended to help improve your tasting and palette skills and teach you sensory and tasting techniques.
Salary: For this unusual job, food tasters on average earn around $79,791 per year, depending on experience and location.
Interested in an Unusual Job?
Choosing the right career path can be hard, especially when you are still learning about all the different types of jobs that exist. But, researching and learning about what jobs are out there can help narrow down your search. There are so many uncommon jobs out there to explore!
The important thing to remember while researching career paths is to keep an open mind. You never know: An unusual job may be the perfect fit for you.
Does getting an unusual job seem interesting to you? Then find the right college with the College Finder tool on StudyLab. This free tool allows you to search colleges and add filters to find a school that is right for you.
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