There are so many unique and exciting ways to make a living in today’s world. So many people are rejecting the traditional ways to earn their keep in favour of careers that enrich their lives, pique their interests and keep them on their toes.

Whether you’re fresh out of school, looking for something exciting to make money with, or a career changer tired of the daily grind, here are some of the strangest and coolest ways that you could make money.

Ethical Hacker

In the digital world, it seems like every week there is a new news story about hackers targeting organisations or individuals and playing havoc with their finances or operations. The role of an ethical hacker is a relatively new one, but it is becoming increasingly vital for businesses to help shore up their digital defences.

A company or agency will often employ an ethical hacker to test its defences. To do this job well, you will need to be handy with a computer and have the skills to know how an illegal hacker might try to break into a business’s computer systems. You will then provide a report with recommendations on how they can improve their security.

Park Ranger

This is a fantastic career choice for anyone that likes being out in nature and spending their days on their feet. There are plenty of parks across the UK that are hiring, and you will often find this kind of role involves a mix of solitary work and interaction with visitors.

You will need good people skills, as you will often be required to guide or aid visitors. You may also be required to survey and recommend repairs to structures on the grounds and be responsible for the upkeep of equipment.

Chef

If you have a love for creating culinary masterpieces, then the role of chef could be ideal. You will need some experience to get the best jobs, and it may help to take a course in culinary skills, such as bachelor of culinary arts degree.. The best chefs can make an excellent living, though the hours can be long and challenging.

Sommelier

A fine dining establishment employs a sommelier to provide recommendations on wine pairings for meals. You will need an excellent working knowledge of different wines and what they go well with to be successful in this career. You will also need excellent customer service skills and the ability to make and hold a conversation.

If this sounds like the perfect career for you, you could consider going on a course that will help you hone and polish your existing skills.

Cryptocurrency Collector

Cryptocurrency is seen by many as the future of finance. Crypto is a decentralised currency that allows users to make quick, cheap transactions without the bureaucratic red tape that often comes with traditional banking. As a result, many investors and collectors of cryptocurrency have made a significant living investing in crypto. However, you should try and work out which ones will provide you with the best return on investment or are the most stress-free.

The first thought when everyone thinks of collecting cryptocurrency is Bitcoin. However, there are many alternatives to Bitcoin which provide a similar return but can also be considered to be safer, or less volatile. So how many alternatives are there out there to Bitcoin? Is it quite easy to choose which one? The answers to all these questions can be found in articles like this article from Traders of Crypto on the alternatives to Bitcoin. Interestingly, they also plenty of other free resources for anyone looking to begin their journey into investing in crypto, with tips and advice on making some good money. It’s a good place to start if you are looking to make this one of your career paths.

Video Game Tester

A video games tester is the dream job for many gamers. It involves you playing a video game that is in development and reporting any bugs or glitches that you encounter. It is important to note that the job will require you to play the same level or section of a game multiple times to ensure that you have not missed anything, which may get tedious over time.

You can often get into this kind of role with an apprenticeship or take a course at college or sixth form.

Equine Therapist

Equine therapy is a form of therapy that incorporates the care of horses with traditional therapy methods. This can include feeding, grooming and leading a horse under the guidance of a professional therapist and horse handler.

To succeed in this role, you will need to be a qualified therapist and be comfortable and confident around horses. It is an excellent role for anyone who loves animals and helping others. It can be challenging, both physically and emotionally, but it can be a gratifying career.

Professional Bridesmaid

One of the odder jobs on offer, there is actually a growing market for people offering professional bridesmaids services. A professional bridesmaid will be there for the bride on the day of the wedding to help with practicalities and provide emotional support.

They are not the same thing as a wedding planner. Instead, their role is to focus on helping the bride enjoy her day. For example, the bridesmaid might help resolve any disputes between family members, help a bride overcome cold feet or any other emotional labour that might be needed to support the bride.