For the dreamers, doers, and those who don’t want a 9-to-5 job
So you’re in high school, and every adult keeps asking you the same question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
And your mind goes: “Uh… I don’t know. Happy? Alive? Rich? On a beach in Bali?”
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to fit yourself into a traditional career box. Not everyone is suited for corporate meetings, medical textbooks, or courtroom drama. The world needs more than just doctors, engineers, and lawyers.
Let’s explore some unusual, interesting, and wonderfully unconventional careers that you might actually love.
1. Professional Ethicist
Job: Thinks deeply about right and wrong for businesses, tech companies, and hospitals.
Why it’s cool: Imagine being the one who decides if AI robots are too creepy or if a company’s new product might harm people ethically.
Where you’d work: Hospitals, tech startups, the government, or even on a movie set for moral consulting.
2. Narrative Designer for Video Games
Job: Writes the story, characters, and emotional flow of a game—not just the dialogue.
Why it’s cool: You control how players feel. You create goosebumps, plot twists, and heart-stopping missions.
Skill combo: Writing, psychology, and gaming knowledge make a winning mix.
3. Flavor Chemist
Job: Creates new flavors for chips, sodas, candy, and even pet food.
Why it’s cool: You could be the genius behind “chili-lime chocolate” or “birthday cake-flavored popcorn.” The taste buds of the world will depend on your creations.
4. Digital Death Manager
Job: Helps people organize what happens to their digital lives (photos, emails, passwords, social media) after they die.
Why it’s cool: It’s the future. Our lives are online, and someone has to manage our digital afterlife.
Bonus: It’s meaningful and blends technology with empathy.
5. ASMR Content Producer
Job: Creates calming, satisfying, whispery content for YouTube or apps like Calm and Headspace.
Why it’s cool: You get paid to tap on things, whisper gently, or eat pickles into a mic—and millions of people will thank you for it.
6. Fashion Psychologist
Job: Studies how clothing affects behavior, mood, and perception.
Why it’s cool: You’ll help brands understand why color matters or assist people in boosting their confidence with their attire.
Example: You help job seekers dress for confidence or consult on why school uniforms affect focus.
7. Toy Designer for Adults
Job: Designs nostalgic toys or creative fidget tools for grown-ups.
Why it’s cool: The adult toy market (like Rubik’s Cubes, puzzles, and desk gadgets) is booming. You get to create fun things that people didn’t know they needed.
8. Laughter Therapist
Job: Uses laughter exercises to help people deal with stress, trauma, or illness.
Why it’s cool: Yes, it’s a real thing. People heal faster when they laugh more. Your job is to bring joy.
9. Traveling Set Dresser
Job: Travels with TV/movie crews to set up scenes—whether it’s a haunted house or a futuristic spaceship.
Why it’s cool: No two days are alike. One week, you’re arranging ancient scrolls in a museum scene, and the next, you’re turning a hotel room into a crime scene.
10. Pet Influencer Manager
Job: Manages social media accounts and deals for popular pets like cats, dogs, parrots, and hedgehogs.
Why it’s cool: Pets can earn more than human influencers. You could be the brains behind “Sir Whiskers the Cat,” who just landed a cat food sponsorship.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Own Lane
Here’s the twist:
Some of the coolest jobs don’t exist until you create them.
We live in a world where:
Memers are brand consultants.
Gamers are millionaires.
Teenagers are running six-figure online businesses from their bedrooms.
So don’t worry if none of the “standard” career paths excite you. Be curious. Be unique. Be brave. The unconventional path might be the right one for you.
