When researching career paths, it’s normal to feel more at ease with jobs that sound familiar and tangible, such as a lawyer, teacher, or journalist. However, you could be missing out on some great opportunities, as there are other popular career choices, that you might not have thought about. Therefore, if you are looking to expand your career-searching horizons, we have compiled a list of seven great careers that you might not have considered. You will find out more about what they entail, as well as any requirements you may need to know about. This will help you make the right decision when it comes to your future career and prospects.
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a type of nurse with more authority and training in comparison to a registered nurse. Rather than only assisting doctors, nurse practitioners can also perform many of a doctor’s responsibilities. They deliver emergency, primary, and acute care to patients, which means they require a high level of education and experience. Some of the most common tasks include diagnosing health conditions, conducting check-ups, requesting lab tests, and referring patients to specialists. Becoming a nurse practitioner may take anywhere between four and six years, as you will need a bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree in nursing.
Sports Manager
Sports managers help oversee the business dealings of athletes or sports teams, which may include facility management, promotions and marketing, as well as event planning. There are plenty of sports management courses in the UK for those who are interested in gaining experience. For example, this course in sport management provided by The University of Stirling includes a sports internship, allowing you to obtain valuable professional experience. It is also taught by leading experts in sport management, which ensures you can learn about the most up-to-date industry trends. As a result, by the time you graduate you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to turn your passion for sports into a career.
Industrial Engineer
Engineers typically design, build, and maintain all types of systems. Therefore, an industrial engineer is someone who specifically designs, builds, and maintains systems that industries need to produce goods and provide services. These systems may refer to workers, materials, machines, energy, and information. As an industrial engineer, you will be responsible for making all of these parts operate together as efficiently as possible. Keep in mind that you may need to work in a variety of settings, and you may also have to travel to observe how businesses work in person.
Web Developer
Your primary task as a web developer would be to create and maintain websites and applications. For example, your work may determine how fast a site loads or the amount of traffic it can handle. There are several types of web developers, including front-end developers, back-end developers, and webmasters. While front-end developers are responsible for the appearance of a site and users’ interactions with it, back-end developers need to ensure the site’s framework runs smoothly. In turn, webmasters are in charge of keeping websites up-to-date and responding to users’ enquiries.
Data Scientist
Data scientists are responsible for creating frameworks, that enable businesses to collect, organise, and analyse data. As a result, companies can leverage that data to make better business decisions. Depending on business needs, this job may involve a variety of duties, such as running data experiments, developing data products, optimising frameworks, and implementing statistical models and algorithms to drive better outcomes. This is a data-heavy role, which means that a bachelor’s degree in computer science, math, engineering, or a related field is preferred. You will also need to be able to work with all kinds of information, from sales figures to political polls.
Database Administrator
Database administrators ensure that data stored on company database systems is easily and securely accessible. Depending on the database, this job might involve optimising data collection, backing up systems, and identifying problems and inconsistencies within the database, and working on solutions. In addition, you might be responsible for creating new databases and designing security measures. Therefore, you will need to get a good understanding of databases, how they work, and how to manage them. You may also need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a similar field.
Public Relations Manager
Public relations managers, or also known as PR managers, are crucial in shaping the way a person, company, or product is perceived by the public. There are various goals that PR managers need to work towards, such as building buzz around a new product launch, creating positive brand sentiment for a brand, or getting press coverage for a new book. This may involve the use of a range of strategies, including forming media relationships, writing press releases, and minimising the impact of negative press. If you want to pursue this career, you will typically be required to have a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, or marketing.
