The days of being traditional when thinking about your career are over, friend. Unique jobs are uncommon by definition, but you may find your dream career by thinking outside of the box and diving into some passions that can make money. Heads up: some of these jobs require advanced education, training, or certification in order to get started. In this short read, we’ll explore some lucrative careers that you may not have heard of before.
Color Specialist
Job family: Interior Designer
What they do: If you’ve never heard of a color specialist, you’re not alone. Personal color consultants are responsible for helping people design the interior or exterior of their homes or businesses. With so many trends and possibilities, the choices can become overwhelming. That’s where a color expert comes in!
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree, Masters are a plus
In some states, color specialists must be licensed or certified through the International Association of Color Consultants (IACC) with a membership
Skills needed: Knowledge with tablet computers/ipads and computer assisted design (CAD), photo imaging, video creation applications, creativity, artistic talent and attention to detail
Starting Salary: $60,983
Most common practice: Business owners that consult independently
Career opportunities: Interior design, graphic design, fashion, product placement and visual merchandising, product line development & retail buying, and corporate branding and consulting
Voice-Over Artist
Job family: Entertainment
What they do: If you have a unique voice, chances are, your friends have told you you should be on the radio or in a commercial. There are multiple ways someone can use their voice to build a career in a virtual environment. What do voice artists do? Duties can include reading scripts, interpreting character mannerisms, following writer prompts, changing the pitch of your voice, and portraying emotions verbally. It’s also possible to narrate projects over video content, audiobooks, and video games. This role is typically freelance.
Requirements: GED/High school diploma, with no college needed. Some pursue a bachelors in communication, broadcasting, or theater. Training is typically on the job.
Skills needed: Acting, adaptability, attention to detail, confidence and communication
Starting Salary: $31,999 starting with an average pay after experience of $33.63/hr or $71,908/yr
Career opportunities: Radio, commercials, influencers, narrations, audiobooks, video games
Cruise Ship Director
Job family: Tourism & Entertainment
What they do: We have to be honest – this one is seemingly the most fun of our list and it requires a stark level of leadership to manage! A cruise ship director is the head of entertainment while you’re living your best life on a cruise. The director typically supervises and evaluates the performance of all cruise personnel to ensure the guests are having the best experience possible. Monitoring the guest comments and creating plans for improvements for special events and parties while aboard claims a majority of the work day. When you hear announcements over the intercoms, you’re likely hearing the voice of the cruise ship director.
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree is not required, however most directors possess a bachelors in hospitality or tourism management. A minimum of 5 years experience in an upscale hotel, resort, cruise ship and entertainment venue is required and a Master of Ceremony may be required.
Skills needed: Strong management skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment. Excellent verbal and written skills, and knowledge of another language(s) is a plus. Superior customer service, team building and conflict resolution skills are necessary to be successful in this role.
Starting Salary: $45,000 with an average range after experience of $56,000-$88,500
Career opportunities: Can operate a private ship or major cruise lines such as Carnival, norwegian, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and more
Doula
Job family: Personal Care
What they do: They’re like travel guides in a foreign country. No, really! Except instead of helping you cross the street or find the best place to eat, they help you cross the finish line of childbirth and bring home the baby. A birth and postpartum doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a family before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
Requirements: No formal education is required. The doula certification is voluntary, however, clients typically will not hire a doula without a certification and training from an established organization.
Skills needed: Childbirth education, emotional support, physical assistance and care, planning, motivation, and teamwork are all skills needed to be successful in this role
Starting Salary: $40,000-$50,000. Doulas can earn a salary of up to $100,000 in a large urban city.
Career opportunities: Doulas typically work as contractors, employees, or business owners. Doulas are paid a set fee per birth or hourly. Doula work is flexible, and often on-call. Doulas are also employed in hospitals.
Flavorist
Job family: Chemistry
What they do: A professional taste-tester?! Sign us up. A flavorist is known for creating flavor profiles and determining ingredients. They work in a lab, using high-tech equipment to distill, extract, and blend chemicals to create a flavor and apply it to different foods. This is what you’ll describe as “artificial flavors”. To be a flavorist, you have to understand the concept and taste of natural flavors and have a well-rounded taste and smell palate for proper analysis. So next time you’re trying a new lollipop or popsicle, think of all the hard work a flavorist had to juggle so you can enjoy a tasty treat.
Requirements: Chemistry degree typically recommended, supplemented with a 5-7 year apprenticeship.
Skills needed: Strong sense of smell and taste, recordkeeping, chemistry, and creativity
are all skills needed to be successful in this role
Starting Salary: $50,000 to start with a potential to earn up to $200,000
Career opportunities: Major snack, candy and beverage companies and any company within the food processing industry
If you learned something new by reading this post, follow us on social media and download our app in the app store to learn more about careers that may be a solid fit for you!