If you are in the market for a new job, are thinking about switching career paths, or are trying to figure out what to study, it may be difficult to parse through all your options. Doctors, lawyers, and business careers often dominate the literature on career choices. However, there are far more choices out there than you may think initially, and many of them come with very high salary prospects and are interesting lines of work. Some careers may feel gendered, though there are no gender requirements for any job. But, that does not mean you cannot pursue them if you are of a gender that is not typically thought of for that role. If you are looking to make a change or a start in a non-traditional field, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, take a look at these interesting and unconventional career choices. You just might find something you would not have thought of yourself.
Careers in and adjacent to construction
An important but often overlooked sector to work in is construction. There are many aspects to construction, and it is a dynamic market that does not seem to be slowing down. As long as the world needs things built and repaired, those who work in construction will have job security. Some folks may have a fascination with tall buildings, cranes, or other construction equipment from when they were young. However, you do not have to consider construction a dream job in order to get something out of it. You are, quite literally, going to get something— like a building or roof— out of it, which can be rewarding for many! Some careers in construction to consider are welders, masons, and heavy machinery operators. You could be someone who specializes in installing commercial roofing, or building decks. You could also get a job working on public works projects like bridges and highways. If working with your hands is not as much your style, you could get involved in the business side of construction. There are options at the management level of construction companies, safety businesses, or you could even open a forklift dealership and capitalize on the market for big construction machines. There are so many ways to get a piece of the action in the construction sector.
A medical road less traveled
Many kids grow up thinking they will become a doctor. Often, they are thinking about surgeons and physicians, but there are many more options in the medical field. And these other careers are options that are very well-paying. If your primary goal is to help and care for people, you will still be fulfilled in other medical careers. For instance, anesthesiologists are some of the highest-paid employees in a hospital setting. They administer anesthesia to patients who are undergoing surgeries of all kinds. This career is directly helping someone experience no pain while they are under. Additionally, as an anesthesiologist, you get to learn about all types of medical areas, not just one. This makes it a very dynamic and rewarding career option. And, let’s not forget about the health of other areas on your body. You could become an orthodontist and take care of people’s oral health. Different than a dentist, an orthodontist focuses their primary energy on the structure of one’s teeth and bite. They may help correct teeth that are not straight or do not grow in properly, which can cause pain and jaw issues. This is a great career if you want to help people and love problem-solving.
Design the modern world
In the current time, technology is booming. Everywhere you look there are new innovations in computing, gaming, and in digital image and film capture. If you love to think about how the world around you works and you want to contribute to new designs in mechanics and tech, mechanical engineering design could be for you. In addition to designing things like hardware for computers and video game systems, mechanical engineers help create the comforts that modern humans have come to rely on. These comforts include such things as air conditioners, refrigerators, engines, and generators. Odds are, you have one or more of these things in your home. That means you can thank a mechanical engineer! If you like tinkering or wonder how these types of things are made, this career could be a great fit for you.If software is more your speed, you could always look into web and app design. Web and app developers and designers work hard to make the software and websites we use every day. There seems to be an app for everything these days, which is the beauty of this line of work! It means you could harness just about any passion you have and funnel it into an app or a website. Banking, pizza delivery, online shopping, ordering taxis, and many more areas can be the focus of apps and websites.
Turn your passion into a business
If you want to do something where you will never get bored, you could turn your passion into a business. This could mean taking that crafting hobby public and opening an online retail shop to sell knitwear or jewelry. It could also mean offering up your extreme expertise in marketing as a freelance consultant for businesses. It could even mean franchising a business you have patronized for years and know everything about. Being your own boss, making your own hours, and working for yourself are very rewarding aspects of becoming an entrepreneur. If you have a secret hobby that you have grown to love and have become very good at, this could be just the road for you to travel down. If it is something you truly love, it is likely that you will not get tired of running a business focused on that thing. This will make your day to day life much easier and much more enjoyable than if you were in a career you rushed into and actually hate.
Making the right choice for you
No matter which career path you choose, it is important to weigh your options and make decisions that will better your life in the long run. There are many considerations when choosing a career path. While money is, of course, a large consideration as you must make money to pay for necessities, money is not the only important thing. You must also consider the classes you would like to take at college or a trade school, or, if applicable, the degree you already have. You should also consider where you are located. For instance, it is difficult to work as a marine biologist if you live in a land-locked area. No matter what path you choose, be sure to do as much research for yourself as you can before embarking on your journey. It is also a good idea to check in with your network and see if you know anyone in the industry you are thinking about. That way, you can chat with them and learn about all the ins and outs of their sector. If you enter a career path with all the information you need, you will be more comfortable as you progress and will be prepared for everything you have in store!
