5 Cool Careers You've Never Considered (But You Might Want To!)

Somewhere between formatting 12-point, Times New Roman resumes and applying to your zillionth internship, you may have forgotten that your career search should be fun and exciting. And if “fun and exciting” means pursuing law, business or medicine to you, go for it! But if you’re on the lookout for something a little off the beaten path, Her Campus is here to remind you that your options are limitless. Don’t believe us? Check out these five careers that you may have never considered—until now.
 

1. If you’re addicted to Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook…

Stop treating it like an unhealthy addiction and put those hours of tumbling, tweeting and tagging to use. Social media management is a hot ticket in the job market, and who better to apply than you—a member of the most tech-savvy generation yet? “When I graduated in 2009, there were few jobs that focused specifically on social media,” says Chelsea Clements, a graduate of Miami University. “Now, there are jobs devoted to nothing but social media: strategy, implementation, analyzing, etc.” Just a few years out of college, Chelsea has already advanced in the field and now works as the New Business and Relationship Lead at Tarte Advertising, Inc. There, she uses her networking-related skills to fulfill responsibilities like finding and reaching out to clients, writing for the company blog, Facebook and Twitter, attending networking events, and helping brands realize their full potential in creating a social media, website and email marketing presence. Her involvement in social media even helped her get her job there! “I got my position at Tarte Advertising after following the owner and CEO [of Tarte] Audrey Keyes on Twitter for a few years,” says Chelsea. Who knows? You could be following your @futureboss right now, too.
 
2. If you’re the campus activist…
Consider a career in human rights. One way to do get involved is to join a non-governmental organization, or NGO. The aim of NGOs is to implement positive social change; there are multiple types of NGOs and their focus can be of widely varying magnitudes, from local to international. Most people are familiar with wide-scale service NGOs, like the Red Cross, OXFAM, and Save the Children, but don’t make the mistake of thinking NGO work is limited to volunteering! While that’s an option, organizations are always on the lookout for researchers, analysts, and other kinds of specialists, and often provide internships and fellowships. Check out sites like Human Rights Watch and Idealist.org if you’re interested in a career involving saving the world (no big deal).

3. If you’re a pet person…
Don’t give up on that childhood dream of playing with puppies all day! Dog-walking and –sitting is just as much in demand as it was when you were in middle school. “I always walked dogs for money in my neighborhood, but a friend of mine turned her hobby into a business by advertising and taking a ton of doggie clients,” says Alex Court, a student at The College of William and Mary. “She makes enough money dog-walking that she quit her old job and bought space for a mini-pet motel.” But even if you’re not a doggie entrepreneur, your options in animal-related careers are limitless. Feeling a little unsure about medicine, law, or psychology? Sign up to be a veterinarian pathologist, an animal welfare lawyer, or an animal-assisted therapist. Still skeptical? According to AOL Jobs, the salaries of such professions can range from about $50,000 to $150,000. So your dreams of playing with puppies for a living aren’t too far-fetched after all (ha!).