By Vicki Salemi
Provided by ClassesUSA.com
Willing to travel the corners of the globe as a perk for your job? How about turning your love for beer into bucks? By combining your skill sets and work experience with some of the best jobs you've never heard of, you may be well on your way to fueling your passion into a unique career.
Global mobility consultant
These professionals work with employees transferred around the world to coordinate aspects of international assignments, including connecting them with movers, helping apply for Visas, and providing cultural training. According to Amy Meichner, senior vice president of global human resources at Cartus, a provider of global relocation and workforce development solutions, "We look for people with a global passion and great service skills. It's a very high-touch human role requiring good communication skills." Those new to the field often come from service-related industries, and are attracted by the change to progress while traveling the world. "We're in a global marketplace and this requires people to be on the ground."
Brewmaster
Garrett Oliver, brewmaster and vice president of Brooklyn Brewery, one of the country's top 40 breweries, says a brewmaster is essentially "the chef of the brewery." He maintains complete responsibility for beer production, from concept through finished product, along with running the brewhouse and ensuring quality control." It's not all about the beer, though; brewmasters need to know organic chemistry, yeast biology, recipe design, flavor, and aroma evaluation. "They come from all walks of life and each has a different path to the job. Most craft brewers are like chefs and start at an amateur level; internships are invaluable."
Visual merchandiser
According to Angie Wojak, author of "Spark Your Career in Fashion," (Spark Notes, 2007), the role of visual merchandiser is perfect for those who want to be part of the selling floor excitement. These professionals are responsible for the conceptualization and execution of store displays designed to promote branding. Wojak, who also serves as the career services director at Parsons The New School for Design, explains having a bachelor's degree in fashion marketing, combined with internship experience creating eye-catching window and in-store displays, is key. "Ideally, a person should have studied design or fine arts, have a great eye, and [possess[ good problem-solving skills. "It's definitely not a desk job."
Palliative care nurse
Specializing in the relief of pain, symptoms, and stress of living with or dying from an incurable illness, palliative care nurses focus on improving the quality of life for patients and their families. According to Jon Radulovic, vice president of communications for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, a non-profit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals, "This is growing area of health care encompasses a team of providers such as a nurse, social worker, counselor, volunteers, and home health aides."
Vicki Salemi, a frequent contributor to ClassesUSA.com, Online Degrees Magazine, and The CollegeBound Network, writes regularly about education and career issues.
