Finding the perfect career for anyone today can be tricky, regardless of your experience, your age, and the type of passions or hobbies you have. Whether you’ve recently received an education from a college or university or if you’re simply seeking a new path in your career, it’s important to seek inspiration before choosing the direction that is genuinely right for you. Whether you have always wanted to work in science, education, art, or even tech, there are many different career options to consider and compare before deciding on the journey you want to pursue.
1. Art Historian
If you enjoy the pursuit of education and want to combine your love of education and learning with art and history, you can do so by becoming an art historian. Obtaining a PhD in Arts and Humanities is one of the best ways to land a top-notch position as an art historian, especially if you intend to do so at a world-renowned art museum or center. Art historians are professionals who understand the vast nature of artists, architects, artistic styles, and architectural movements throughout different centuries, decades, and eras in history. They enjoy learning about the foundational motivations of such movements, styles, and artists, while sharing their findings in research papers, speeches, and in some cases, even books.
For those who are interested in seeking a career as an art historian, you may need to pursue a formal degree, depending on your wealth of knowledge and your ability to provide valuable resources to prominent members of the community and industry itself. Art historians typically work with other artists, museum managers, and researchers, depending on the type of work they are interested in and passionate about in their line of work. Researching various art historian positions and the locations of positions can help you determine if formally pursuing the career is the right choice for you.
2. Optician
For those who are not shy about pursuing a formal education, working to become a professional optician is another option to consider and keep in mind. Opticians specialize in assisting patients with eye exams to determine what type of eyeglasses, lenses, or additional solutions a patient may require, regardless of their age and preexisting conditions they may also have. From helping a patient find the right glasses for their necessary prescription to keeping up with examinations and prescriptions, the optician is well-versed in the anatomy of the eyes.
Becoming an optician does not require an extensive medical degree, but it will require you to obtain a certification in optometry or, in some cases, an associate’s degree, depending on the line of work you’re interested in and if you intend to work on your own or for another local office. You will also need to work toward obtaining a state certification or license, depending on where you are planning to offer the optometry services you intend to provide. Knowing how to effectively communicate with patients while simultaneously having an in-depth understanding of specialized optometry equipment can also go a long way when you’re in the process of landing a position with a local office.
3. Interior Designer
Whether you have a formal education in interior design or if you simply have an eye for trends and excellent color palettes, you may want to consider pursuing a career as a professional interior designer. From choosing the right granite countertop style for a client to choosing a decor theme for each room in a home, there are many different projects that you may have access to once you begin working as a professional interior designer, regardless of whether you choose to do so as a solo artist or if you prefer to work for a group or local agency.
Fortunately, working as an interior designer does not always require an extensive degree, especially if you have previous experience and a portfolio to demonstrate past projects and your work in a professional capacity. Using a portfolio is one of the best ways to attract and land new clients, whether you showcase your portfolio during consultations or if you choose to do so with the use of an official website and online presence. Cultivating an online following with a presence using your own website and social media can have a significant impact on your ability to attract new clients and positive reviews or testimonials.
If you’ve always dreamed of working on your own as an interior designer and you do not want to work for anyone else, establishing a name for your own interior design firm or agency online and locally is a must. Attending networking events and getting to know the locals in your community can help you spread the word about the type of interior design services you are planning to provide. Building and launching a relevant website for your interior design work is a way to showcase the type of skills you have and your tastes and sense of style, which can also go a long way if you have an interest in attracting clients with a similar vision.
4. Accounts & Payroll Manager
If you’ve already obtained a college education or if you’re currently pursuing a degree in accounting, finance, or bookkeeping, you may want to consider working as an accounts and payroll manager. In some rare cases, this position will not require you to hold a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, so long as you can provide proof of your knowledge when it comes to bookkeeping services and necessities. However, keep in mind that most locations that are hiring an accounts & payroll manager will require individuals to have a degree in finance, accounting, or even an MBA, or a Masters in Business Administration.
Working as an accounts & payroll manager will require an understanding of payroll based on the business entities you represent and the state or country you reside in. Balancing accounts, overseeing payroll payments, and processing and ensuring records are filed accordingly are also the responsibilities of those who choose to pursue a career in accounts & payroll. Additionally, knowing how to go about coordinating and communicating with those in HR is also another added responsibility of those who are working with the accounting and payroll records of any business or venture, big or small.
5. Web Developer
Working as a web developer is a way to do so on your own or for a local or remote agency, depending on your own preferences. When it comes to becoming a web developer, you can do so with or without a formal education, depending on your current skills and your ability to learn independently. Learning web development can be done at a university, online for free, or even with the use of various platforms and video guides.
Whether you are thinking of offering a custom website design service to small business owners in your local community or if you’re more interested in scaling and creating a regional agency, you will need to establish a name for yourself both locally and online, regardless of your education. Creating a professional persona on relevant platforms and launching a website with an extensive portfolio is a great way to break into the web development industry while making a name for yourself. You can also use your own online presence to demonstrate your skills and sense of style with the hopes of attracting like-minded clients, making your job even more enjoyable.
6. Architect
Becoming a professional architect is a way to offer services as a luxury home builder or to share your vision of unique commercial structures. If you have always had a dream of becoming an architect, and you are thinking of doing so on your own, you will need to obtain the right education and connections to succeed. Working towards a degree in drafting, architecture, and design can go a long way if you do not have previous experience working in construction or as an architect.
7. Psychiatrist
Providing services to patients can be extremely fulfilling, especially when you are assisting those in need with getting their lives back on track. Whether you are interested in becoming a bipolar disorder psychiatrist or if you want to work with patients who have suffered extreme emotional traumas, you will need to work towards a degree in psychiatry to do so professionally. Not only will you need to obtain a degree in psychology or psychiatry, but you will also be required to complete an internship in many cases. Obtaining the proper degree, licensing, and insurance will all be required if you are interested in pursuing a career as a professional psychiatrist today.
8. Beauty Therapist
Individuals who are attracted to working with cosmetics, skin, and the body, may want to consider becoming a beauty therapist, where it is possible to tweak the aesthetics of customers and clients each day. A beauty therapist will work with a client on an individual basis to determine their needs while simultaneously finding the appropriate services or treatments that may be useful to them to enhance their appearance while boosting self-esteem and confidence. From analyzing a client’s skin to providing massages and skin treatments, beauty therapists are well-versed in the latest self-care and beauty trends that are available in all regions of the world.
In most instances, individuals who are thinking of working as a beauty therapist will not be required to obtain a college or university education, although it may help if you are interested in pursuing a position that has a high demand. However, while you will not be required to pursue an official college education, most people who are interested in pursuing a career as a beauty therapist will need to complete a beauty therapy course or program, which can take up to two years to finish. Once you are fully certified and licensed to work as a beauty therapist in your current state and city, you can then begin to do so by operating on your own or working for a local salon or spa, depending on your location and the vision you have for your career and future.
9. Landscaper
If you enjoy working outdoors and in gardens, consider going into the landscape industry. Even if you do not have a formal education, you can work in landscaping and gardening with enough knowledge and the right skills to get any job done for your client. From installing raised garden beds to learning about the proper flora and fauna for a particular region based on its surrounding climate, there are many different skills and projects to consider if you are thinking of going into the industry of landscaping and gardening.
Becoming a landscaper or gardener can be done even if you are not formally trained by contacting and connecting with local clients and residents in your neighborhood. Spreading the word about the services you offer can be done with traditional local fliers and even with the use of social media. Creating a portfolio of completed projects is one of the best ways to show off your abilities and attract new clientele while building trust with the locals near you.
Take photos and high-quality videos of each project you complete for a client, whether you’re working for residential or commercial clients at that time. Using high-quality photos and videos in your official or even in an online portfolio can have a significant impact on how others view and interpret you as a landscaper or gardener. When prospective clients browse your portfolio and find the imagery or videos high-quality, vibrant, and attractive, they are much more likely to put their trust in you and take you seriously as a gardener or landscaper for their own homes and properties.
When you are looking for career inspiration, keeping your professional experience, education, and skills in mind is essential for the best outcome possible. Utilizing both local and online resources will help you find a career that is not only stable and reliable but one that is also fulfilling for you, especially if you are seeking a long-term role and position. The more familiar you become with various roles that are currently available today based on your skills and abilities, the easier it will be for you to find a position that is appropriate and fitting for you at any time.