It’s a common misconception that you need a formal education to pursue an interesting and fulfilling career. The truth is, there are many opportunities out there that do not require a degree but still offer the chance to make a difference and to be challenged. In this article, we will introduce you to 5 such careers that are not only interesting but also rewarding. From professional poker player to Freelance writing, these careers allow you to express yourself and take control of your own success.
Freelance writer
You can become a freelance writer without a formal education by honing your writing skills and building a portfolio of work. Freelance writing can be interesting because it allows you to work on a variety of projects and topics, and have the freedom to work on your own schedule. A great way to get started on this career path is becoming an expert in an industry so you can market yourself as an ‘industry expert’. If you really want to be an industry expert you can also brush up on some general SEO knowledge in your field. A great way to get started in freelance writing is by creating a profile on sites like Upwork or Fiverr, where businesses are connected with freelancers around the world in a variety of different fields.
Entrepreneur
Starting your own business can be a great way to turn your passion or hobby into a career. Entrepreneurship can be interesting because it allows you to be creative and innovative, and to have control over your own success. Of course, there are some risks when starting your own business so here are some things you should do before starting: understand your market; create a business plan, secure fundings, build a network, understand the legal aspects; be ready to learn and adapt to the market, and have a solid team to help you along the way! There is lots of planning that can go into starting your own business but if it’s a true passion; it’ll definitely be motivating to pursue.
Professional poker player
A career as a professional poker player can be both challenging and rewarding. Typically, it involves competing in live and online poker games, as well as, cash games. A professional poker player’s day-to-day activity would include studying the game, analyzing opponents, and perfecting their own strategies and skills. They would also need to manage their bankroll; which is the amount of money they set aside specifically for playing poker.
Like any business there is high risks involved in being a poker player but there are also great opportunities like, traveling; having no income ceiling, managing your time and schedule, and living mostly wherever. Just keep in mind that even though this may sound like an exciting career; there are some draw backs such as the living out of suitcase; not earning for long periods, and the mental games. Be sure to hear it first hand from some of the pros like Daniel Negreanu who has his own podcast and spills on the tea on the poker industry.
Social media influencer
By building a large following on social media platforms, you can monetize your content and influence by partnering with brands as career. This can be interesting as it allows you to be creative, express yourself and gain fame and money for it. You can also start a travel blog or vlog by sharing your travel experiences and tips with others. This can be interesting as it allows you to explore new places, meet new people and document your adventures. Influencers have recently dominated the market and brought a new type of marketing to the table we’ve even seen massive brands like Dunkin’ Donuts use influencers to promote their products; and even bring in younger generates who’s main advertising portals are social platforms like; Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Digital marketer
By learning about digital marketing strategies and tools, you can work as a digital marketer without a formal education. Digital marketing can be interesting because it allows you to help businesses; and organizations reach their target audience through online channels. There are also other avenues you can take with this one, such as affiliate marketing and brand promotion. There are tons of podcasts and social channels on YouTube; and LinkedIn you can follow you dive deeper into the world of Digital PR and get a grasp on the industry. Just know that a career in digital marketing; will be a continuing learning curve as marketing is always evolving and changing based on industry wants and needs; but hey that’s the fun part, right?
These are just a few to name, with tons more out there, so, whether you’re ready for a career change or looking to dive into something new we encourage you to take a look outside your comfort zone!
Here are some final take aways:
- Do some exploring: learn more about the industry you want to work in and even reach out to some people via social channels like Instagram or LinkedIn.
- Pros/Cons: always be sure to way the pros and cons of any industry you may be interested. Even though the grass may seem greener on the other side, it’s good to understand the risks involved.
- Don’t make any rash decisions: just because you hate your 9-to-5 doesn’t mean you should go out and quit today. Although these careers might not require a formal education, they may require experience. So, be sure to check this out first!
- Have fun with it: there are endless opportunities when it comes to careers and making money, so find something you really enjoy and leverage a way to make a living out of it and hey you never know your passion for shoes may turn into you being a shoe influencer!