Ok, hold-up! This post is not about quitting your job tomorrow to follow your passion.
Unless you’ve got savings in the bank, and paid/unpaid work experience in your chosen field under your belt I wouldn’t recommend this route to anyone.
Granted, some choose that path, and the risks have paid off.
But I’m a true Barefooter (thanks Scott Pape) and a planned exit is much safer – especially in a recession.
If you’re at the point of crafting an escape plan but stuck on career options, here are some hobbies you can potentially turn into your next career:
#1 Cake Decorating
Ok, so the most obvious answer here is starting a cake decorating business right?
Well yes and no.
That is one pathway, but you could also look for work in:
- A bakery
- A cupcake store
- Big retail chains like cheesecake factory
- Or teach others by running cake decorating classes
#2 Music
Can’t get enough of listening to music?
Maybe you play an instrument or sing?
Music is a deeply diverse industry. Some options you may never have thought of in this arena include:
- Music Teacher (online, tutoring, high-school etc)
- Music Therapist
- Audio Production
- Music instrument repairer and tuner
#3 Travel
It’s technically more of an interest than a hobby, but something many people enjoy.
In this space, you could turn your passion for travel into:
- Travel blogger (some people have quit their job and get paid to travel)
- Tour Guide
- Flight Attendant
- Airport Check-In Officer
- Wholesale Consultant (the middle man between retail and wholesale travel agents)
- Cruise Consultant (for those who want to specialise)
#4 Photography
Many, many people have become professional photographers.
The hardest part is picking a genre. Will you specialise in portraits, pets, weddings, modelling, landscape, stock, real estate, personal brands, or something else.
Drones are becoming more popular for aerial shots if you’re keen on getting a commercial licence.
Becoming a photographer for your favourite brand is now big business, as are photographers that offer package deals to shoot across the year in each season.
Then, of course, everyone loves food! Restaurants constantly need to up their game and demand is heating up for photographing food.
You can sell your photo’s online, as canvasses, on items such as pillows, shower curtains, at markets and more.
#5 Internet Marketer (Amazon & eBay)
A quirky genre this one.
No, I don’t recommend raiding your granny’s shed for items.
But there are plenty of businesses set up on these 2 platforms where dropshipping and direct sourcing from China are viable solutions.
If sales, marketing, copywriting etc are things you love, this could be a shiny new career option.
#6Writing
I’m an example of someone who turned their passion into a career path.
Never did I think that resume writing would create a unique career for me. But, hey, there you go 🤷♂️
If you are a fabulous wordsmith there is a world of options waiting for you:
- Transcription/captions (yes, all those subtitles don’t write themselves)
- Translator
- Blog Writer (companies pay people $ to write their blog posts each month)
- Editor/Proof Reader
- Author (Amazon Kindle means anyone can be an Author these days)
#7 Driving
Love getting out and about during the day?
Crave to be behind the wheel?
One of the best career change stories in driving I’ve come across was a chauffeured driver who ran private wine tours in a vintage car.
Hubby and I did this one year for my birthday. The lady who owned it moved to Margaret River, got bored, purchased a vintage car and off she went.
Granted, she loved wine. But, wow was she good and finding some hidden gems for us…and don’t get me started on the secluded picnic she arranged at a vineyard 💘
Then there is Catie Munnings (ABC22). If this smokin rally driver has taught me anything, it’s that there is a world of driving options out there.
I’m not joking. Just turn on her kiddies program (Catie’s Amazing Machines) and you’ll see.
She drives everything from dumpers to diggers, cranes to snow ploughs.
#8 Animals
Just got a need to be near mans best friend?
Tired of working with people?
Well if working with animals is your thing consider some of these options;
- dog walker/runner
- Pet sitter
- Pet groomer
- Dog washer
- Kennel hand
- Wildlife rehabilitator.
Or see if your local Zoo is hiring for cashier positions?
People from all over the world are trading in their tired, old, boring jobs for something they love and you could be one of them.
If you’re thinking about turning a hobby into a new career, don’t forget to:
- get your mindset in check
- invest in yourself
- get organised and…plan, plan, plan!
