From an early age, we all had ideas of what we wanted to be when we grew up – a vet, a doctor, a police officer, a teacher. Whilst these careers as seen as more traditional, they are just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of jobs out there, some of them you may not have heard of.

For example, if you have an interest in Engineering, you could land a job as a Prosthetist, someone who designs and fits artificial limbs for people who have lost limbs in war or an accident. For those studying Mechanical Engineering, this could lead to taking your hobby even further, such as building BMX bike tracks, developing your knowledge of obstacles and construction. For other recreational hobbies such as diving, you could retrain and become a Scuba Diving Instructor. You may have many different hobbies outside of school that can be turned into careers.

Caroline’s Story

Caroline Jacobi, 34, studied Journalism at university but struggled to find a job in the sector after graduating. She now has a successful career in public relations and communications.

“It was really disheartening when I couldn’t find the job I wanted. But I actually prefer what I do now. A lot of skills that a journalist has, like writing and interview skills, can be applied to PR and communications, so I have been able to do what I love, which is writing, and make a living out of it.

“My advice would be to keep an open mind. Your career isn’t set in stone and you don’t have to fit into a box and do something that doesn’t suit you. There could be opportunities out there that you never knew existed – you just have to find them.”

The best way to find out if you like something is to try it, so apply this idea to finding your dream career. Volunteering and work experience is a great way to ‘try before you buy.’ You’ll get a chance to work in the sector you’re thinking of working in and get a feel for what the job entails. It looks good on your CV or personal statement too!