When it comes to choosing a career, many people want something exciting or unique that can make them genuinely enjoy their job. Fortunately, there are plenty of cool and engaging career options out there that offer unconventional hours, working conditions, and interesting responsibilities. Whether you are deciding on your first career path or considering a change, exploring some of these unorthodox choices might open up new opportunities for you.
Here are 10 cool careers that you might want to consider:
1. Mystery Shopper Average Annual Salary: £20,065 Primary Duties: Mystery shoppers are hired to pose as regular customers in order to assess a company's customer service. This might involve tasks such as making phone calls to the company, evaluating online customer support, or dining at a restaurant and providing feedback on the experience. Most mystery shoppers work remotely and do not require formal education, although strong English writing and speaking skills, internet access, and email are typically necessary.
2. Intelligence Officer Average Annual Salary: £34,426 Primary Duties: Intelligence officers collect and analyze information to protect their country from domestic and international threats. These professionals work to prevent terrorism and cybercrime by interpreting data and turning it into actionable intelligence. Intelligence officers are typically employed by government agencies such as intelligence services, the military, police departments, or local governments. A background in fields such as math, statistics, computers, social sciences, psychology, or criminology is common among intelligence officers, who must possess strong analytical skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
3. Video Game Creator Average Annual Salary: £36,796 Primary Duties: Video game designers are responsible for creating the storylines, characters, and dialogue that make up a video game. They use flowcharts, mock-ups, and detailed layouts to plan out the game before working with artists and programmers to bring their vision to life. While there are no formal educational requirements for this career, many video game designers have a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, or art.
4. Master Sommelier Average Annual Salary: £34,350 Primary Duties: Master sommeliers are wine experts who specialize in pairing wines with food to create a unique dining experience. They work in restaurants, vineyards, and other businesses to ensure that their selection of wines complements the menu. Sommeliers possess extensive knowledge of wines and are skilled at identifying the region and vintage of a wine based on taste alone. To become a master sommelier, individuals must earn a Master Sommelier Diploma, although no formal education is required.
5. Zookeeper Average Annual Salary: £24,127 Primary Duties: Zookeepers are responsible for the care and well-being of animals in zoos, safari parks, wildlife sanctuaries, aquariums, and nature reserves. They specialize in caring for a particular species or family of animals, such as mammals or big cats, and work to ensure the animals' health and safety. Zookeepers must be physically fit, comfortable working outdoors, and passionate about animals. While some positions may only require secondary education or equivalent qualifications, additional certifications can be beneficial for those pursuing a career in zookeeping.
6. Neurosurgeon Average Annual Salary: £119,031 Primary Duties: Neurosurgeons are medical specialists who diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system, such as strokes, tumors, and injuries. They work in hospitals or specialized clinics to develop personalized treatment plans for patients in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Becoming a neurosurgeon requires a medical degree and successful completion of specialty exams in neurosurgery.
7. Aeronautical Engineer Average Annual Salary: £44,365 Primary Duties: Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing, testing, and overseeing the production of aircraft, satellites, missiles, and spacecraft. They use specialized computer software and equipment to create product plans and schedules in an office setting. Most aerospace engineers hold a bachelor's degree in the field, although many choose to specialize further by pursuing a master's degree. Employers often prefer candidates who are chartered aeronautical engineers.
8. Voice-Over Artist Average Annual Salary: £13,065 Primary Duties: Voice-over artists provide narration for films, documentaries, TV and radio commercials, audiobooks, and other media. Their work involves attending auditions, rehearsals, and recording sessions in collaboration with directors and sound engineers. Voice-over artists can work in recording studios or remotely if they have their own equipment. While there are no formal education requirements for this career, experience in acting can be beneficial for aspiring voice-over artists.
9. Private Chef Average Annual Salary: £43,875 Primary Duties: Private chefs specialize in creating personalized culinary experiences for individuals. They are skilled in cooking a variety of dishes and accommodating various dietary restrictions that clients may have. Private chefs are often hired for special events, but some also provide everyday services such as custom meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and serving. While there are no specific educational requirements to become a private chef, completing cooking classes can help aspiring chefs develop their skills.
10. Animal Trainer Average Annual Salary: £21,217 Primary Duties: Animal trainers are professionals who train animals to exhibit friendly behaviors towards humans. Their responsibilities may include caring for pets or training service animals to assist individuals with disabilities. Animal trainers may teach animals commands, familiarize them with loud noises, or observe their behavior to assess their physical and mental wellbeing. These professionals can work for clubs, rescue organizations, security companies, or may even be self-employed. While a love of animals and experience in handling them are essential for this career, educational requirements vary. Some positions may require completion of animal behavior courses or obtaining degrees related to this field.
In conclusion, there are plenty of exciting and unconventional career paths to consider if you're looking for a cool job that offers unique challenges and opportunities. Whether you're interested in working with animals, creating video games, or pursuing a career in intelligence, there are many different paths to explore. By thinking outside the box and considering some of these cool careers, you might just find the perfect job that allows you to love what you do every day.