Tired of the same old job listings? Ready for something completely different? You might be surprised at the kinds of unique jobs people actually get paid to do. If you’re looking for an unconventional career path, get ready to explore some seriously cool and unexpected professions!
Here are ten unique jobs you probably didn’t know existed:
Becoming a Norland Nanny
Forget the image of a sweet, singing caregiver. Norland Nannies are serious professionals. This elite group receives rigorous training over four years, turning them into childcare experts sought after even by the British Royal Family!
Norland College describes their nannies as “Mary Poppins mixed with a little James Bond.” Besides traditional skills like sewing and childcare, they get trained in high-speed driving and even martial arts. The reason? Protecting their charges from potential threats, including kidnapping. This top-tier training comes at a cost of around £14,990 ($20,150) annually, but graduates can command salaries up to £126,000 ($170,000). And the college guarantees employment through its in-house agency.
The Ravenmaster
If you’re looking for a job title that sounds undeniably cool, look no further. The Ravenmaster takes care of the Tower of London’s ravens. Legend says that if all six ravens leave the Tower, both it and the kingdom will fall. The current Ravenmaster, Chris Skaife, keeps eight ravens on the grounds “just in case.”
The ravens are well cared for, receiving special toys and attention. The position itself is relatively new, officially created in 1968, evolving from the duties of the Yeoman Quartermaster (Beefeater). To become a Ravenmaster, you must first become a Yeoman Warder, which requires at least 22 years of military service.
Golf Ball Diver
Imagine diving into golf course ponds, not for a swim, but to retrieve lost golf balls! Golf ball divers are environmental recyclers, wading through murky waters to collect balls that are then cleaned, repackaged, and resold. An average course has between four and twelve ponds, meaning divers spend about 8–10 hours a day in the water.
The job can be dangerous, with low visibility, sharp objects, and wildlife like alligators posing risks. Divers usually work in pairs for safety. Becoming a professional golf ball diver requires certification, first aid training, and dive rescue skills. It’s also physically demanding, requiring you to haul around sacks of used golf balls weighing around 65 pounds.
Car-Plate Blocker
In Tehran, Iran, where traffic congestion is a major problem, officials implemented a plan where cars with license plates ending in even numbers could drive on certain days, and odd-numbered plates on others. Drivers found a creative workaround: hiring someone to block their license plate from traffic cameras!
These “human shields” or number-plate blockers run behind cars or follow on motorbikes, obscuring the plate. It might not be glamorous, but it adds a bit of thrill to the daily commute.
Professional Pusher
Subway congestion in Japan is so intense that Tokyo Metro employs “oshiya,” or professional pushers, to literally shove people into train cars. With over 6.8 million people using the system daily, trains are often overloaded by 70%!
Within two weeks, you can become a professional pusher. They wear suits, white gloves, and hats to be easily identified. Surprisingly, passengers rarely complain. With no required qualifications and an average pay of $10 per hour, students often take on this part-time role.
Venetian Gondolier
Navigating the canals of Venice as a gondolier is a highly sought-after profession. These skilled boatmen can earn up to $150,000 each year. Becoming a gondolier isn’t easy. Trainees must find a mentor, complete 400 hours of instruction, and pass a difficult examination.
For over 900 years, the tradition has strongly favored men. As of now, there has only been one officially licensed female gondolier – Giorgia Boscolo, who passed the exam in 2010. The training includes navigational skills, language knowledge, and a deep understanding of Venice’s culture and sights.
Ethical Hacker
Forget the Hollywood stereotype. Ethical hackers, or “white-hats,” help companies by breaking into their systems to find vulnerabilities. This allows the company to fix the weaknesses before malicious hackers (“black-hats”) can exploit them.
Ethical hackers strengthen systems from the inside, considering both online and physical hacking attempts. A professional ethical hacker can earn on average $102,000 in the U.S.
Hand Model
Imagine seeing your hands on the cover of Vogue. That’s the life of a professional hand model. Modeling agencies offer “parts modeling,” creating portfolios specifically for hands, feet, and other body parts.
The daily routine isn’t easy. Hand models must take elaborate measures to protect their hands, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding injuries, and always wearing gloves while washing dishes. A single scratch or blemish can cost them a job. Day rates can range from $150 to $1,500+.
Concert Promoter
Concert promoters independently produce live concerts, tours, festivals, and special events, earning salaries around £31,600 ($42,500) yearly. The best part? Anyone can start at any time, often beginning with small local events and building up to larger productions.
Success depends on music and market savvy, resilience, patience, and discipline. Expect constant networking, business meetings, and a lineup of concerts on the weekend and be prepared to start small and work your way up.
Mahout
A Mahout shares an unbreakable bond with their elephant, often paired with the same animal for life. While historically they led elephants into war, today their role focuses on conservation, habitat keeping, and forest protection.
Ecotourism is a growing focus, prioritizing the welfare of domesticated animals and protecting wild species. Mahouts also decorate their elephants for cultural events like the Elephant Festival, complete with colorful rugs, jewelry, and bells. However, the salary is usually very low, making it a job for those truly passionate about caring for elephants.
So, there you have it – ten unique job opportunities that you might not have ever considered. Whether you’re drawn to protecting ravens, diving for golf balls, or caring for elephants, there’s a world of unusual and exciting careers out there waiting to be explored!
Which of these unusual jobs excites you the most? Leave a comment below!
