Not your normal 9-5

Are you searching for something a little bit different? Do you dread getting up in the morning and having to prepare for the day ahead? If so, you might be in need of a career change.

There is an old saying of pick a job that you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. However, for most of us, the jobs we do are more ‘pay the bills’ than ‘play every day’. If you are considering shaking things up a bit, or are just starting to think about what you want to do with the rest of your life, consider these more unusual jobs.

Coopering

Fancy learning a historical craft? Coopering is the art of creating barrels, buckets and more. Once a mainstay of any self-respecting village, nowadays coopers are normally found in the Whisky industry. The casks that hold that amber gold don’t make themselves after all. To become a cooper means starting out as an apprentice. Traditionally these roles were targeted to young people with teenagers being taken onto be trained for 4 or 5 years by experienced craftsmen. In recent years apprenticeships have been opened up to a much wider age range in a bid to bring more people into the industry and even ensure that years of training are not wasted. If the idea of working with metal and wood appeals to you then be on the lookout for apprenticeships which come up every few years. A more artisanal approach is also an option, in which case short courses like this one are an excellent introduction.

Data scientist

If you love the combination of computer skills and statistics a career in data science could be calling. This is one of the fastest-growing industries around meaning there are lots of opportunity for those with the right skills. Data scientists work across a whole range of industries; everything from retail to medicine. Problem-solving is a huge part of the job, along with the ability to come up with original ways of recording and displaying data. The statistics part of the role will see you making order out of the chaos that is multiple streams of information. This career isn’t for the faint-hearted but is an excellent fit if you already have some of the key skills required. Working with a specialist recruitment agency to find data jobs is the best way to explore this niche.

Kids Birthday party planner

Like kids and love a party? Consider a career as a birthday party planner. Dealing with over-excited kids may seem like a nightmare to some, but for others, creating a magical day is a dream come true. This type of role is an ideal way to use your creative side while also embracing a hefty dose of project management. Successful party planners are able to come up with inventive and original ideas to keep little ones engaged while also deftly handling their parents. Being impeccably organised, yet able to improvise to solve problems as they arise are requirements here. Opportunities include working as a freelance party planner who can whip up whatever their clients want. If the self-employed life is not for you then consider working with an institution such as a theme park or museum to plan in house celebrations.

Ethical hackers

Think of hackers and you might think of shadowy types in a darkened room trying to bring down banks and governments. If that’s what interests you, you might be more suited for a career in screenwriting! Ethical hackers are not tucked away in their basements but rather work for, and with, companies to help keep their networks and systems safe. They will, with a company’s permission, try to find weaknesses that other, less ethical, hackers could exploit. A sound understanding of IT security and computer programming are just some of the skills required. Want to find out more? Click here for information on internationally accepted qualifications.

We hope this list has inspired you to think outside the box when it comes to your career. Don’t put up with the daily drudgery; now is the time to find a job that truly inspires you.