Some people thrive in office-based jobs; others, on the other hand, simply do not. There can be many factors behind this, including feeling trapped by a 9-to-5 schedule and feeling overworked all the time. There are also people who prefer not to deal with hierarchies and office politics.
If you belong to the group and feel like an office job isn’t really in your wheelhouse, don’t worry. There are plenty of alternative professions you can explore that are not only lucrative, but also personally fulfilling. Here are just a few examples:
Entrepreneur
For many Singaporeans, the simplest solution to not work an office job is to become one’s own boss. However, it’s also true that entrepreneurship is not as simple as having a business idea and running away with it. Aside from capital, you’re also going to need a solid plan and a lot of guts. You also have to hone your business skills.
Fortunately, there are plenty of certificate courses you can take to prepare for your entrepreneurship journey. These include those that can be funded under the government’s SkillsFuture credit scheme. With these educational programmes, you can develop the necessary skills for running a successful business.
One of the best things about being an entrepreneur is that, when your business is starting to expand, you may be able to provide job opportunities to others as well. This can even serve as your inspiration to persevere and do well.
Web Developer
If you want a work-from-anywhere job and you have the tech skills to boot, consider becoming a web developer. As long as you have a powerful enough laptop, you can code at home, in a hotel lobby, or even by the beach.
What’s great about this career track is that you can do it whether you want to stay employed or become a freelancer. If you’re considering the former, ask your employer if they can offer you a telecommuting set up so that you can literally work anywhere.
Meanwhile, if you want to take the freelancing route, it’s crucial to brush up on your accounting and financial management skills. Make sure to find out about the current rates so you don’t undersell your skills.
IT Consultant
With the way technology is developing, it’s a must for any company in any industry to invest in tech solutions. However, not all businesses are well-equipped to make the right decisions in this regard; they may end up making bad choices that can hamper their entire organisation’s growth.
This is where IT consultants – providing strategic advice to decision makers – come in. With help from IT consultants, companies can implement tech solutions seamlessly and more effectively.
Culinary Chef
Are you a self-professed foodie? Then perhaps it’s time to explore a career in the culinary arts. In particular, being a chef is a lucrative endeavour that will also allow you to continuously experiment with recipes.
What you have to remember is that being a chef can be stressful, especially due to the fast-paced nature of the food service business; customer demands can even add more to the pressure. Nevertheless, there are many other paths to take when you’re a chef beyond working in a restaurant. For example, you can try being a private chef or even running your own food truck.
Geologist
If you love adventuring and the outdoors, you’ll love being a geologist. You’ll always be on the field, collecting samples and conducting tests to better understand the Earth and its processes. Geologists also work with other science and engineering experts to discover ways on how to safely and efficiently extract resources.
Of course, you have to have the correct educational background or degrees in order to pursue a career in geological sciences. Unlike other scientific careers, however, a doctorate isn’t necessary (but definitely an advantage) if you want to become a geologist.
Environmental Engineer
Solving environmental problems is a worthwhile profession because you’ll be working not only for your own welfare but also for the rest of the world. If you want to pursue this path, then becoming an environmental engineer may be the career for you. In this line of work, you’ll collaborate with other professionals to tackle climate change, pollution control, waste disposal, and more global issues.
Being an environmental engineer may also open opportunities for you to work with the government, especially in relation to developing environmental programmes and regulations.
Astronomer
While studying and taking care of our planet is important, learning about the universe beyond our world is also essential. If you’d rather explore the possibilities of outer space and understand phenomena that happen beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, then a career as an astronomer might just be the perfect fit.
What’s great about astronomy is that a lot of the theories and principles you’ll learn can also be applied to things back on Earth, whether it be in the energy sector, in medicine, in industry, or in everyday life. Do note that you need to have the right educational background to become an astronomer. The job also involves a lot of research, so you have to have a lot of patience in the minutiae of this endeavour.
These are just a few alternative professions you can take if you aren’t a big fan of office jobs. If you can’t decide just yet, try listing your interests and hobbies. Perhaps there’s a career path for you in other fields like music, game development, or even photography. Keep an open mind and be patient; soon, you’ll find that perfect fit!
