Buzz
Forget the idea that all jobs are dull, uninspiring, and limited to office spaces. There’s a whole world of unique jobs out there that few people realize exist, and some of them can even be a lot of fun! If you’ve been contemplating a career change, why not explore something a little more unconventional?
Here are ten careers that you never knew you were missing out on.
10. Becoming a Norland Nanny
You’re probably thinking… nannying? Seriously?
Despite their seemingly comical appearance, these women are far more formidable than bodyguards when it comes to safeguarding their charges. Why? Because they undergo an intense four-year training program, honing their skills to become the best in their field. They are among the most exclusive and highly skilled nannies worldwide, to the point where they’ve even been hired by the British Royal Family.
Norland College describes its nannies as a mix of “Mary Poppins and a little bit of James Bond.” While traditional homemaking skills like sewing and childcare are foundational to their training, some lessons are far more surprising—such as high-speed drifting. These women are taught to expertly control a car as it drifts through turns, alongside other extreme disciplines like martial arts and self-defense. Working for wealthy clients often requires dealing with potential risks, especially child abduction attempts.
A typical Norland education costs up to £14,990 ($20,150) per year, which is more expensive than studying at Oxford or Cambridge. The goal is for graduates to secure positions with elite families, commanding salaries up to £126,000 ($170,000). Norland College even offers a 100% guaranteed employment rate. With its own recruitment agency, The Norland Agency, the institution ensures that demand for its graduates always exceeds supply. It seems these nannies are in high demand...
9. The Ravenmaster
NASA scientists, world leaders, and billionaires alike agree that the title of “Ravenmaster” is perhaps the coolest job title ever. The Ravenmaster cares for the famous ravens at the Tower of London; according to legend, the ravens are connected to the fate of the Tower, and if all six were to disappear, the Tower would crumble, and disaster would fall upon the kingdom. The current Ravenmaster, Chris Skaife (since 2011), looks after eight ravens, just in case one goes missing.
The ravens are exceptionally well cared for, and they regularly receive special “enrichment” toys (think cool bird gadgets). The Ravenmaster position is relatively recent, with only five individuals having held the title. It was originally part of the Yeoman (more widely known as the Beefeater) Quartermaster’s duties but became a distinct role in 1968.
To qualify as a Ravenmaster, you must first be a Yeoman Warder. However, to become a Yeoman Warder, you must be a military veteran with a minimum of 22 years of service.
8. Golf Ball Diver
Picture yourself on a bus, dressed in a diving suit, snorkel in hand, telling the driver to drop you off at the local golf course. The townspeople might think you’ve lost it, but you’re not the town lunatic—you’re the local golf ball retriever.
These professional recyclers have a rather unique role in promoting environmental sustainability. They spend their days wading through golf course ponds and water features, retrieving stray golf balls, which are then cleaned, repackaged, and sold. Given that the average course features between four and twelve ponds, divers typically spend around 8–10 hours per day submerged in water!
The job can be surprisingly perilous; divers often deal with poor visibility, hidden sharp objects underwater, and encounters with wildlife (yes, that includes alligators!). To minimize risks, divers typically work in pairs, taking shifts. To become a professional golf ball diver, you must first be a certified, professional diver with training in first aid and dive rescue. It’s also incredibly demanding work; hauling 30-kilogram (65-pound) sacks of golf balls is no small feat.
7. Car-Plate Blocker
Hiring someone to obscure your license plate is a brilliant way to break the law with a touch of ingenuity.
Tehran, Iran’s capital, has a traffic problem that is more than six times worse than the city’s capacity, so something had to change. To alleviate the congestion, Iranian officials implemented a system: every other day, cars with license plates ending in even numbers were permitted to drive, and the same rule applied to those with odd-numbered plates on alternate days.
On paper, this plan sounds ideal, but in practice…well, Iranian drivers weren’t exactly thrilled. A clever loophole quickly emerged: drivers hired pedestrians to run behind their vehicles and block the view of their license plates from traffic cameras! Though not the most glamorous job, it certainly comes with that exhilarating ‘I’m-breaking-the-law’ rush that can make a dull week more interesting. Some plate blockers even use motorbikes to tail cars at high speeds, while in more congested areas, pedestrians—or “human shields” as they’re known locally—are hired.
6. Professional Pusher
Japan has come up with a rather unique solution to the problem of subway crowding—by hiring people to physically shove passengers into train cars! With a staggering 6.84 million daily riders on Tokyo Metro, this approach is surprisingly effective. The trains are often overloaded by as much as 70%...so imagine how lucky you'd be to score a seat! However, this tactic isn't employed on all of Tokyo's subway lines—there are quite a few in the metropolitan area.
It only takes two weeks to become a professional pusher. Dressed in sharp suits, crisp white gloves, and a hat, pushers are easy to spot, so passengers know exactly who’s handling the situation. Remarkably, commuters rarely complain about being crammed into an overcrowded train, so you won’t have to worry about being yelled at. With no specific qualifications required and an average pay of $10 per hour, part-time students make up the majority of pushers' workforce.
5. Venetian Gondolier
How amazing does being a gondolier sound? For those who aren’t familiar, Venetian gondoliers are the skilled individuals who guide boats through Venice’s canals—one of Italy’s most prestigious and coveted professions! So, why is the demand for steering a simple boat so high? Because gondoliers can earn up to $150,000 a year!
Becoming a gondolier is no simple task. First, trainees must find an experienced gondolier to guide them as their mentor, then complete 400 hours of hands-on training, followed by passing a demanding examination. For more than 900 years, men have predominantly held the title of gondola captains in Italy. In fact, only one woman has ever received the official title of 'gondoliera'—Giorgia Boscolo, who passed the gondolier exam in 2010. The training involves mastering navigation, learning multiple languages, and, most importantly, gaining an in-depth understanding of Venice’s rich culture and landmarks.
4. Ethical Hacker
Contrary to Hollywood depictions of hackers as lone, hooded figures lurking in dark rooms, ethical hackers are quite the opposite! Also known as 'white-hats,' these professionals assist companies by breaking into their systems and databases to find vulnerabilities. Their goal is to identify weaknesses before malicious hackers, or 'black-hats,' can exploit them.
Because networks are built to be difficult to breach, ethical hackers play a crucial role in fortifying systems from within. In addition to performing online penetration tests, they must also consider physical security breaches. In large corporations, gaining access might be as simple as printing a fake ID badge.
Professional ethical hackers in the U.S. earn an average salary of $102,000 annually.
3. Mahout
The connection between a Mahout and their elephant is truly unbreakable; these expert elephant trainers are often paired with a single elephant for life, forging a bond as strong as family. Their relationship is one of deep trust and companionship!
While their history is somewhat controversial—mahouts traditionally led elephants into battle—today, their roles have evolved into conservation efforts. Many professional mahouts now use their expertise to become guardians of wildlife habitats and protect forests. Ecotourism has also become a significant focus, creating a balance between the care of domesticated elephants and the protection of wild species.
The role of a mahout can also be colorful and celebratory, particularly during cultural festivals such as the renowned Elephant Festival. For this event, elephants are carefully groomed and dressed in vibrant rugs, large pieces of jewelry, and anklets adorned with bells. Their tusks are decorated with gold and silver bracelets and rings, and it is customary for mahouts to wear matching attire to complement their elephants’ festive looks.
Sadly, the compensation for being a mahout is often quite low. It is truly a role reserved for those who have a genuine connection with elephants and are dedicated to their care, often without the expectation of financial reward.
2. Concert Promoter
Concert promoters have the exciting job of independently organizing live concerts! Whether it's a single performance, a tour, a festival, or a special event, they make it happen. The average salary for a concert promoter is around £31,600 ($42,500) per year. What’s great about this job is that anyone can get started at any point in time. Most begin with local events, such as smaller concerts or festivals, and work their way up to running their own independent companies in the DIY music scene. On-the-job experience is highly valued, as many seasoned promoters believe that learning through hands-on involvement is the best way to go.
Concert promoters must be persistent, patient, and exceptionally disciplined. While the job may sound glamorous, it’s very much driven by the numbers—success depends on the promoter’s ability to understand the music industry and the market. Networking is crucial, so promoters spend a lot of time attending meetings during the week and organizing concerts over the weekend. Patience is key; most promoters start small and work hard to gradually secure bigger artists and larger venues.
1. Hand Model
Imagine being able to glance at the cover of Vogue and say, “Those hands belong to me.” Pretty awesome, right?
This is the life of a professional hand model. Agencies like Sandra Reynolds specialize in what is known as “parts modeling,” where portfolios are created specifically for body parts like hands, feet, legs, arms, and even collarbones! A hand model’s job is essentially to act as someone else’s hands… but with professionalism.
The daily routine of a hand model isn’t easy, as the hands must be kept in perfect condition. This requires constant moisturizing and taking great care to avoid any damage. A healthy diet is a must, as is avoiding injuries and never washing dishes without gloves. It may sound a bit over the top, but remember, even the smallest blemish could cost a model a job.
Hand models are freelancers and are paid per job, but their earnings can vary widely. Day rates range anywhere from $150 to $1,500+, depending on the job.
