A Look At Some Out of the Ordinary Jobs

What do you want to be when you grow up? Chances are if you ask that question in any third grade class, your answers will include at least one fireman, one policeman, one cowboy and an assortment of other jobs that are glamorized on television and books.

But there are far more jobs than those that make good reading and television. Some of the most interesting and unusual jobs are those that most third graders have never heard of - unless, of course, a relative happens to be a flavorist or a research chef.

A flavorist will go through five years of intensive post- degree training, take a certification test and spend two more years as a junior flavorist before having a chance at one of the lucrative jobs as a full-fledged flavorist for a major flavor house. What's a flavor house, you're wondering?

It's a research lab that develops flavors that are then purchased by soft drink manufacturers, baking companies, cereal companies and many other food manufacturers. Earnings prospects? In the neighborhood of $50,000 to $80,000 annually at entry level.

Perfusionist Since

I brought it up - a perfusionist is a specialist in keeping the heart functioning with heart/lung devices during, before and after heart surgery, as well as in some circumstances when the heart is failing. It's one of those jobs that offer many exciting moments - the perfusionist interviewed may work in the back of an ambulance, in an operating theater or even in a foreign country. There are only 21 schools in the country that offer the specialized training needed to complete program requirements for a perfusionist, and altogether they graduate less than 150 students a year. An entry level perfusionist can expect to earn $58,000 to $61,000 a year, and one with ten years experience can earn $85,000 to $100,000 a year.

For a flavorist, that expertise is in the blending of chemical components to create new flavors for use in the food industry. A chemist must put in up to seven extra years of training to be able to designate themselves as a flavorist, but at the end of that time, they can expect to earn well over $50,000 a year.

Usability Engineer

How would you like a job that lets you shape new software and web sites into something that most users will find enjoyable and easy to use? Usability engineer is one of the jobs that has grown more important over the past several decades. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists about 3500 people working as usability engineers in the country, but that number may be higher or lower than registered members of their professional organization. A usability engineer can expect to make in the neighborhood of $75,000 to $100,000 annually. Since the job is so new, there's no defined 'career path', but a computer related degree with a minor concentration in psychology is likely to help.

Other jobs may be in niche industries, such as museums or entertainment. Those might include jobs like clown and historical interpreter. Both are performers, but the aim of their art is very different.

Not all clowns are employed by circuses. There are many who freelance, working for flower and message delivery services and hospitals where they entertain children. They may do corporate events, children's birthday parties or carnivals and fairs. Their annual income is dependent on how well they can market themselves, who they work for, and whether or not they are employed full time.

Those are only five of the roughly two dozen unusual jobs highlighted in the Occupational Outlook Quarterly. In addition to the column "You're a What?" the OOQ features articles of interest to those entering or re-entering the job market, and those that work with them.

Those are only a few examples of non-traditional jobs that few people consider when asked 'what do you want to be...?

There are hundreds of others, ranging from personal concierge to dog walker to medical aesthetician. If you're interested in learning about other unusual jobs, pay a visit to the web site of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and wander through their handbook of occupations. You'll be surprised at the new horizons you'll find listed.

---

Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head

A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had... Read More

How to Become a Real Estate Agent

If you're wondering how to become a real estate agent,... Read More

Sawbones

I was rushing through the white-tented terminal building at Denver... Read More

Resume Writing Dos and Donts

Do these things Include your full name - don't... Read More

Are You Taking Your Inner Brat to Work?

Is your inner brat taking over your job? Everyone has... Read More

Beat the Crowd with Winning Resume Cover Letters

Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover... Read More

How to Improve Your Work Situation

buWhy are so many people unhappy in their work situation?... Read More

You Can Identify a Problem Solver

As an executive recruiter, I interview a lot of people.... Read More

The 6 Stages of Modern Career Development

Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs)... Read More

Change Your Career, Change Your Life!

Lots of times I see and talk to people who... Read More

Career Strategy When Your Boss is a Bully

Q. Right after I accepted my new position, the manager... Read More

Ten Courses Of Study If You Want To Be Your Own Boss

For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More

What is Absolutely the Best Day to go on a Job Interview?

First of all, to fully understand and appreciate the answer,... Read More

Invest in Your Career Change--Put Your Money Where Your Dream Is

You say you want a new career, you say you... Read More

Intuition: The Secret To Your Career Success

For far too long, we moderns have relied on our... Read More

Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs

What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists... Read More

Do You Have the courage to ignore the experts?

Do you have the courage to ignore the experts? Do... Read More

10 Tips to Help You Ace the Interview and Get the Job

The interview is the "beauty contest" part of the job... Read More

Five Qualities Employers Want

More than ever, employers want employees who can produce results!... Read More

Make The Right Career Move

It is not realistic for HR Managers to believe that... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Career Opportunity and Employee Retention

This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores... Read More

Creating Your Own Luck

Losing my job in the last recession of... Read More

Spiritual Practices Offer Peace and Acceptance

Facing career transitions and daily life challenges can leave us... Read More

Getting Started: 5 Things You Need to Decide When You Get Started with a Job Search

There are few things more frustrating for a headhunter than... Read More

Online Resume Tips and Secrets

I manage a website for corporate flight attendants that features... Read More

How People Really Explore New Careers: What Does A Real Career Search Look Like?

The traditional model of career choice suggests a linear pattern.... Read More

What Your Guidance Counselor, Career Counselor, and Own Mother Probably Never Told You...

The alarm clock jars you awake at some insanely... Read More

Do You Work to Live or Live to Work?

Let's be realistic here - hands up all of you... Read More

How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign

1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most... Read More

Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?

Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today's market place nursing... Read More

Women Who Quit Work Abrubtly After Childbirth - Are You the Type?

According to statistics one out of every five pregnant women... Read More

Telecommuting Interview Tips

Telecommuting Interview Tips- By Nell TaliercioYou've made it! Your cover... Read More

Using Journal to Support Your Job Search

Are you searching for a job? Here are some tips... Read More