If you have ever found yourself wondering what other career options are out there, outside of the regular jobs and 9-5s, you certainly won’t be alone. At Progress Careers, we aim to support young people in taking the next steps to better their future, which means suggesting both traditional and alternative career paths that you might not have considered or known existed.
A conventional career path, whilst offering stability, isn’t for everyone. We are aware that everyone is different which is why we like to create bespoke advice for each student. We aim to identify what your passions, interests and long-term goals are in order to help you make an informed decision about your future.
Today’s young people have been blessed with an endless amount of options when it comes to jobs, with the constant evolution of the web and technology meaning new opportunities are always becoming available. With more choice, freedom and flexibility, now is a very exciting time for young people who are making choices about their future.
Below we have highlighted a selection of alternative career options which we hope open your mind to the world of possibilities available to you.
Online English Tutor
A common misconception is that when teaching English as a second language, you have to be fluent in the student’s language. However, quite often, no prior experience is needed! With English being one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, particularly so in business, many people use online tutoring sessions to improve their fluency. What is so great about this job is that it can be done remotely meaning you can work from anywhere in the world. As long as you have a laptop with a high-quality webcam and some teaching props, you’re ready to go. If you are a strong communicator with a passion for helping others and broadening your cultural awareness, this could be a potential option for you. Something to be aware of is that there can often be a large time difference, particularly so when teaching students from Asia, so the work might involve some early mornings and late nights.
Pathway: For this job, whilst it is not essential you go to university, some tutoring platforms do require you to have a degree in a communications-based subject such as English Language, Teaching or Journalism. What is more important here is having a TEFL or TESOL teaching qualification which can be gained through a course provider such as i-to-i or The TEFL Academy.
Salary: Online English Tutors are usually paid per class. Teachers can expect to earn, on average, £15 per hour with bonuses.
Workplace Wellbeing Manager
With increased awareness around workplace wellbeing and the importance of self-care, there has been an undeniable shift in the valuing of staff in recent years. This too has been reflected in society, as we begin to have more open discussions around mental health and taking care of ourselves. As part of this progression, many workplaces now employ their very own Wellbeing Manager whose sole purpose is to ensure staff are both looked after and happy in their professional environment, a role that aligns closely with HR. Within this role, you would be responsible for developing and implementing all activities relating to staff safety and wellbeing. This may involve playing a key role in organizing team building events, networking and building relationships internally and externally, contributing to health, safety and wellness strategies and managing staff difficulties within the workplace.
Pathway: A degree in a wellness-related subject such as psychology is useful but not required. However, being educated to a degree level is often essential. Upon graduation, it would be useful to gain experience in a HR or leadership/management role to expand your credentials and further qualify you for this role.
Salary: The average salary for this role is £32,400.
Content Creator
A Content Creator is responsible for providing multimedia materials, such as images, videos and blogs for online platforms. This can be either as a freelancer or employed by a company.
Working freelance comes with both positives and negatives. Creative freedom, flexible working hours and being your own boss are all definite pros. However, no guarantee of a regular paycheck and an uncertain flow of work can be a daunting prospect for some. Being a content creator requires you to have a strong awareness of social media and a creative flair. Many bloggers or influencers often identify as content creators as they are generating money from the material they produce. This is an ideal job for someone who believes they could grow a large social media following and is passionate about using Youtube, Tik Tok and Instagram.
Pathway: As a freelancer, there is no set pathway for this role. You just need to be highly skilled at what you do with a proven track record and impressive insights. Brands should start to notice your content and reach out to you for branded partnerships and deals. If you’d like to go down the route of working for a company, you will often need a degree in the relevant field such as Marketing, Media, Business Studies.
Salary: The average national salary for a Content Creator is £28,800. For freelancers, this can vary depending on how much time you put into your work and how established you are. There is no limit or cap.
Wind Turbine Technician
If the prospect of working outdoors in beautiful locations, contributing to a more sustainable planet and long-term job security appeals to you, then we suggest considering a career as a Wind Turbine Technician (WTT). As the UK aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, now is the perfect time to join the sector, giving yourself a huge advantage as the industry continues to grow at a fast speed. The role of a WTT is to repair, maintain and test wind turbines, ensuring they run smoothly by closely monitoring the electrical and mechanical equipment daily. Technicians can either work at wind turbine farms on land or off-shore. This work can be hazardous as work is done at extreme heights so workers need to be prepared for a challenge and equipped with all the correct training and knowledge.
Pathway: To become qualified to work in this field, you will need to complete your Global Wind Organization (GWO) training. This involves GWO Manual Handling, GWO Basic Safety Training and GWO Working at Heights.
Salary: The average salary for a WTT is £29,200.
We hope we have managed to provide you with some insight into different alternative career options available to you. There are endless opportunities out there for every individual, no matter where your interests and passions lie. For more information on Progress Career, follow us on our social media channels.
