Exploring Unique Career Paths: Six Exciting And Offbeat Options For Teens

Although Rohini, 17, is enrolled in IIT coaching classes, her heart is not in physics, chemistry or math. Her parents are keen on her pursuing engineering, and many of her close friends are planning to become engineers. But Rohini secretly dreams of becoming a professional cartoonist whose work appears in newspapers and magazines. Her artistic ability, insights into current affairs, and flair for satire make it an apt choice. However, while her parents appreciate her cartoons, they think it's nothing more than a hobby. One fine day, Rohini drops the bombshell, and alarm bells start ringing in her parents' heads: A cartoonist? Is that even a proper job? How will she earn money from cartoons?

As parents, we want our children to be happy and successful. Most of us believe that our children can lead fulfilling lives only if they choose a conventional career that ensures financial security. However, apart from the six major mainstream careers (engineering, medicine, information technology, law, finance, and management), many job options are available today. Fortunately, more and more parents accept that their children want to follow their heart, even if it means setting out on a less-traveled path. Just like Rohini's parents eventually did.

Here are six offbeat careers, with an illustrative list of institutes offering the courses. Remember to do your research before you choose the right course and the right institute.

Radio Jockey

Job description: A radio jockey (RJ) hosts a radio show. They must be able to engage with the audience pleasantly, keep themselves up to date with current affairs, and present the content (mostly music) entertainingly. An RJ's job can get demanding as they may have to take up late-night slots. All things considered, it's a fun, creative career.

Skill set: A good voice, language proficiency, sense of humor, clear diction, an outgoing personality, love for music, and the gift of gab (ability to speak confidently and persuasively).

Remuneration: A fresher can expect INR 3-4 lakh per annum (p.a.), while a seasoned and popular RJ can attain celebrity status and earn INR 20-30 lakh p.a. or more.

Study options: 

• Xavier Institute of Communications
• EMDI Encompass Institute of Radio Management
• Academy of Radio Management
• Colleges offering media and mass communication courses

Wildlife Photographer

Job description: A wildlife photographer may work for a magazine or a TV channel, but is often a freelancer. Often working odd hours, they specialize in capturing rare and stunning pictures of wild animals in their natural habitat.

Skill set: Photography skills; ability to take risks; patience; presence of mind; knowledge of wild animals and their habits; and survival skills to live in harsh and often primitive conditions. Interest in trekking and camping, and the ability to connect with the local population, are also important skills. A passion for nature and conservation is usually inherent in wildlife photographers.

Remuneration: While a fresher's salary isn't too high, INR 3-5 lakh p.a., with experience, a wildlife photographer, depending on their ability, can earn INR 15-20 lakh p.a. or more.

Study options: 

• National Institute of Design (NID)
• Sir JJ School of Applied Arts
• Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University
• Jamia Millia Islamia

Makeup Artist

Job description: A makeup artist has to work to enhance or change the look of their subject, to prepare the person to appear before the camera (TV show, movie, or ad film) or a live audience (theater or fashion show).

Skill set: Knowledge of fashion trends and the latest products available in the market, imagination, creativity, knowledge of skin science and beauty, ability to use prosthetics, dexterity, and speed, good communication skills, sense of hygiene, color perception, and eye for detail.

Remuneration: The starting salary is around INR 3-5 lakh p.a. With experience, skill, and recognition, it could rise to INR 10-15 lakh p.a. or more, especially if they work with high-profile clients or in the film and fashion industry.

Study options: 

• Lakme Academy
• ISAS International Beauty School
• JD Institute of Fashion Technology

Cybersecurity Expert

Job description: The job entails protecting servers, computers, networks, mobile devices, and data from malicious attacks. The expert has to look for security risks and breaches and deal with them by putting up firewalls and encryption systems in place.

Skill set: Knowledge of hardware, software, and networks; analytical thinking skills; an understanding of how hackers operate; and knowledge of cyberlaw.

Remuneration: The average starting salary is around INR 6-8 lakh p.a. However, with experience, expertise, and specialization, the salary can rise to INR 20-30 lakh p.a. or more.

Study options: 

• National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology
• Institute of Information Security
• Praxis Business School
• International Institute of Digital Technologies

SEO Analyst

Job description: Search engine optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing activity that ensures that a particular website is ranked well by search engines like Google. Users can find the website easily, and this will increase website traffic, thus making the site more popular.

Skill set: Knowledge of how search engines work, analytical and logical thinking skills, good writing skills, understanding of social media, and knowledge of user experience and customer behavior in the online world.

Remuneration: An SEO analyst can expect a starting pay of around INR 4-6 lakh p.a. A digital marketing manager, which an SEO analyst can aspire to become, can earn INR 12-18 lakh p.a. or more.

Study options: 

• DigiGrad (SEO, digital advertising, etc.)
• Manipal ProLearn (3-month digital marketing program)
• National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT)
• All India Management Association (AIMA)

Professional Blogger

Job description: A professional blogger writes online content, focusing on topics they love, such as food, fashion, crime books, or technology. They may monetize their blog through ads and by writing sponsored posts, hosting webinars, or teaching online courses.

Skill set: Knowledge and interest in blog topics (love for travel is a must for travel bloggers or knowledge about the art and science of creating foods for food bloggers), a flair for writing and research, photography and videography skills, networking skills, persistence, and commitment. Remember, making a living as a professional blogger isn't easy.

Remuneration: The starting salary for a blogger can be quite low, around INR 2-3 lakh p.a. However, as the blog gains popularity, earnings can rise to INR 8-12 lakh p.a. or more. Celebrity bloggers with a large following are known to earn INR 30-50 lakh p.a. or higher, especially through brand collaborations, sponsored content, and other monetization methods.

Study options: 

• Udemy and LinkedIn Learning (for blogging course)
• IIM Skills
• Kunzum School of Travel (travel blogging)
• Pearl Academy (fashion blogging)

Allow your child to explore their interests, and encourage them to pursue what they like. But it's also perfectly okay for your child not to have a passion. Go ahead and explore various options along with your child and make it an enjoyable process. Then, zero in on what feels like the best option. And remember, it's possible to change one's career path even after a bachelor's or a master's degree in a particular subject.