Opportunities in Alternative Careers

by Robyn Tellefsen
You've never been one to follow the pack. If your friends planned to be pediatricians, you decided to be a veterinarian. When waitering was all the rage, you opted for bartending. Only a truly unique career can capture your attention, so check out this sampling of alternative careers, complete with salary and employment figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook. And choose your own unique career adventure!

Got a need for speed? Look no further than a unique career as a motorcycle mechanic. Besides repairing and overhauling engines, mechanics work on transmissions, brakes, and ignition systems. And, with training from alternative career schools, your skills will be in demand -- employment of motorcycle mechanics is expected to increase 9 to 17 percent through 2014. Added bonus: In May 2004, median hourly earnings in these alternative careers were $13.70, with the highest 10 percent garnering more than $21.95.

Or, consider becoming a welder. In this unique career, you'll learn to apply heat to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond for manufacturing activities such as shipbuilding, car manufacturing and repair, and construction. These graduates of alternative career schools held about 429,000 jobs in 2004, with median hourly earnings of $14.72, and the top 10 percent over $22.20.

Why not try being a travel agent? With these alternative careers, you'll organize and schedule business, educational, or recreational travel and activities. Alternative career schools will provide the knowledge you'll need to offer advice on destinations and make arrangements for transportation, lodging, car rentals, tours, and more. Travel agents held about 103,000 jobs in 2004, with median annual earnings of $27,640, and the top 10 percent over $44,090.

Perhaps your skills are better suited for alternative careers as a carpenter. These professionals construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials. With formal training from alternative career schools, you'll acquire expertise in safety, first aid, blueprint reading, freehand sketching, basic math, and various carpentry techniques. Carpenters held about 1.3 million jobs in 2004, with median hourly earnings of $16.78, and the highest 10 percent over $28.65.

Do you have what it takes to be a truck driver? If you want to test-drive this career, a commercial driver's license is the first stop on your unique career route. And, some states require the completion of training from alternative career schools before you can get a CDL. Truck drivers held about 2.8 million jobs in 2004, with median hourly earnings of $16.11, and the top 10 percent over $24.07.

Stay ahead of the pack by choosing one of many alternative careers.



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