The Iglu Guide | Blog
Unsure of your next move? Here’s 5 careers you’ve probably never heard of
Today’s students are likely to have many jobs and multiple careers over a lifetime. And as technology advances and businesses find new ways of working, the job industry continues to constantly reinvent under our noses.
Many jobs that we consider common place today simply didn’t exist not so long ago. Think data analyst, social media manager or sustainability consultant.
If the traditional set of career options just aren’t grabbing your attention and you’re struggling for ideas, try some of these for something new.
1. Food Chemist
What you’ll do
Food chemists are responsible for studying, researching, innovating and improving our food products and processes. Analysing and tracking exactly how food molecules behave when we heat, process, can, freeze and package foods, these clever chemists are responsible for making sure our food stays safe and nutritious to eat, and that all food laws and labelling requirements are met. Food chemists can also specialise in a particular field such as flavour or packaging. Although grounded in science, this industry has a creative element when considering new properties in the laboratory.
What you’ll need
Problem solving skills, accuracy and an aptitude for science and technology are key skills for this role. A combination of education and related working experience are necessary to progress in this industry, and a chemistry-based degree is usually required for an entry-level job.
2. Computational Linguist
What you’ll do
As technological systems continue to integrate into human-based activities, the role of a computational linguist has become ever more important. Combining an interest in the structure of language with the application of data software, this role is about developing advanced computer systems that can deal with and process human language. Think speech recognition, audio translation, grammar checking and data mining – all those clever applications that facilitate the interaction between humans and computers. This is truly a career that will see you well into the future and beyond.
What you’ll need
Prospective computer linguists will need to be knowledgeable in the structural aspects of language, as well as having excellent programming and analytical skills on tap. Good communication skills and strong attention to detail are crucial aspects of the role. Most jobs will require either a Master’s qualification in computer science or a related field, or a Bachelor’s degree with supporting experience.
3. Art Therapist
What you’ll do
Using art as a powerful therapy tool, your role is to help clients understand and seek to resolve their emotional conflicts. Engaging in the artistic process has been proven to be incredibly healing and beneficial for all ages, addressing physical and mental challenges such as addiction, anxiety and depression. Art therapy can also be used as a way of dealing with trauma and serious medical conditions including cancer, dementia or brain injury.
What you’ll need
Sensitivity, empathy and patience are crucial interpersonal skills for this role. Additionally, an understanding and aptitude for the artistic process, along with an innate insight into what drives human behaviour makes this an incredibly rewarding career pathway. You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in art, art therapy, social science or a related field, along with a Postgraduate qualification in art therapy.
4. Chief Listening Officer
What you’ll do
CLOs are like the air traffic control of brand content. Your job is to take a deep dive under the skin of how everyone is feeling about your company or product, from your customers right through to your employees. You’ll be able to react quickly and efficiently to any issues, complaints or problems by paying super close attention to the buzz of social platforms, disseminating and imparting crucial information along the way. Such close brand insight and alignment means you will have a leading role in implementing marketing campaigns and overall business strategy.
What you’ll need
Communication and interpersonal skills are crucial to this role, supported by a marketing or business-related discipline.
5. Futurist
What you’ll do
A modern-day fortune teller, futurists are social scientists that help businesses predict what might happen in the future, based on current trends. But instead of a crystal ball at your fingertips, you will be using cold hard data to forecast what the next big global impact will be – and how a business might benefit. Trends have become increasingly important as a way to communicate using a common touchpoint, and futurists use them as a way to resolve issues and respond to change. The ultimate goal of a futurist is to set a company up for success, by preparing in advance for changes on the horizon.
What you’ll need
Becoming a futurist does not require any particular degree, but you will need a global perspective and the ability to provide a rational and persuasive argument at every step of the way. Most futurists have a university level qualification in subjects such as history or economics as well as a talent for problem solving and identifying potential.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
