If you’re one of those adventure seeking souls who doesn’t wish to stick to a cubicle every day, from 9 to 5, then you might find the right career option for yourself from the list of exciting careers in this article. A general presumption is that offbeat and exciting careers do not pay well, but if you hit it off right, then you are in for a rewarding, fun and exhilarating career. Here are some career options that fuse excitement and curiosity with skill, to give the thrill-seeking- you, best of both worlds.
- Astrobiology
Have you wondered ‘is there life beyond Earth’? The field of Astrobiology answers exactly that. Professionals in this field study the origin, evolution and the distribution of life in the Universe and focus on two important questions – Is there life beyond Earth, and if so, how can we trace it?
Many institutions offer certification/ diploma programs in Astrobiology. Some of them are Indian Astrobiology Research Centre, MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research and Indian Institute of Astrophysics. One usually requires a bachelor’s degree in biology/ space science/ chemistry to move forward in the domain.
- Mountaineering
Is scaling the mighty mountains, your idea of fun? If so, you can now turn your hobby into your career and become a professional mountaineer. Mountaineering is quite a popular sport, given the nation’s geography and with formal educational and basic and advanced training programs you can go pro.
Some of the best institutions for mountaineering in the country include, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
Do you see utilizing your eye for detail and calculated guesswork to solve high profile crimes? If yes, then jump onboard to an exciting and promising career.
Several fine institutions in the country, the likes of Institute of Forensic Sciences, LPJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University and Osmania University offer various programs (diplomas, certifications, undergraduate and graduate) in Forensic Sciences.
- Flavour Chemistry
Flavour Chemists make good food better. They make subtle use of taste, aromas and aesthetics to bring that extra wow to your regular day food. The domain is closely related to chemistry and requires mixing ingredients to create new flavours/ improve existing ones.
Food and beverage, FMCG and restaurant industries employ flavour chemists. Institutions like Indian Institute of Hospitality & Management, SRM University, Central Food Technological Research Institute offer programs in Flavour Chemistry.
- Museology
Are you allured by the vintage charm of culture, art and heritage? If so, then a career in museology is all you need. Professionals in the domain manage museums and museum collections, restore and conserve art and carry out new fact finding and artefact collection escapades. Museologists possess incredible knowledge about the world history and culture. They also often specialize in various sub-domains.
National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology, New Delhi offers various courses in this field. University of Calcutta also offers MA and MSc courses in Museology.
- Rural Studies
Are you driven by the zeal to engage in community development activities and initiate a change at the grass root level? If yes, congratulations, you may have found your calling in rural studies. One gets incredible insights into forestry, farm management, children & women development, agriculture, energy management & community management, during the tenure of study.
Post study, one has many employment opportunities with government, NGO’s and private and public entities in the domain. Many institutions in Gujarat & Rajasthan, like Bhavnagar University, Saurashtra University offer bachelors and masters course in rural studies.
- Gerontology
Gerontology is the physical, biological and psychological study of aging. With specialized care facilities being opened for the elderly, gerontologists see a lot of potential in the near future. In a crux, the domain focuses on physical, social and mental effects of aging. Employment opportunities for specialists lie with NGO’s, hospitals, healthcare agencies, pharmaceutical companies and special care facilities.
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Institute of Home Economics, Calcutta Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology and Ramnarain Ruia College are some institutions that offer programs in Gerontology.
- Tea Tasting
Did you ever think that the national drink of India, ‘chai’ can make for a successful and high paying career? Don’t be surprised. Tea sommeliers possess unparalleled knowledge about tea, and its cultivation & manufacture. A professional tea sommelier does not only sips different teas, but also advises on marketing and branding.
They are often seen in collaboration with restaurateurs, designing menus for cafes as well. Birla Institute of Futuristic Studies, Assam Agricultural University, Indian Institute of Plantation Management & Tea Tasters Academy are some of the institutions that offer certifications, diploma and degree programs in tea tasting and management.
- Spa Management
A good massage therapy is something that many people resort to by the end of a hectic week. Spa management, today, is one of the most relaxing and high paying career option. With world class spas spurting up in the metros of India, the potential for the career looks fascinating. If you have a quirk for calming people down, and relaxing their senses, there are several institutes in the country that will help develop your skills.
Ananda Spa Institute and Annabel Spa Institute offer courses in Spa Management. Orient Spa Management has a dual city program, and allows its students to complete a few weeks of coursework in Thailand.
There are not many people who dare to break conventions, and get into an offbeat career. After all, the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Know any more such, unique courses? Let us know in the comments, or write to us at hello@mindler.com