by Ysolt Usigan So often we hear people complain they hate their jobs, loathe their careers, and wish they had pursued something different. What some smart professionals eventually come to realize is that it's never too late to pursue one's passion--and there are no restrictions. When it comes to an off-the-beaten path dream job--like yoga instructor, park ranger, or peace keeper--anything is possible. In fact, such "offbeat" degrees are increasing in popularity. According to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, the number of fitness, parks, recreation, and leisure studies degrees have grown 56 percent since 1996 while the number of colleges that offer peace and conflict studies bachelor's degrees has grown to more than 40, whereas 30 years ago there were only a handful. Fitness fantasy Many who are attracted to alternative career paths were always fascinated by a particular passion, but didn't initially "follow their heart." Such was the case with Stephanie Adams. Now the owner of Flow, Yoga, Spa & Wellness in Hood River, Ore., Adams jumped full force into a law career before having children, but later found she didn't have the time to adequately balance parenthood and her law profession. "I chose to put some time and energy into what had always been my favorite--fitness and aerobics. I attended yoga and other classes every day because I loved it.” That was all the Adams needed to actualize a new career path. "I thought I'd come back to law after the kids were older, but surprisingly, I started taking more fitness classes instead," she explains. Soon enough, her hobby developed into a career. After acquiring certifications in yoga and fitness, Adams opened her own yoga studio, where she teaches and leads teacher-training programs for aspiring yoga instructors. In order to parlay your fitness passion into a profession, consider education programs that offer a hands-on element, field work requirements, and internship or apprenticeship opportunities. Popular majors within the fitness field include sports and recreation management, personal training, and physical education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of recreation and fitness workers is expected to grow 36 percent through 2012, placing fitness instructors and personal trainers in two of the fastest growing professions in the country. Leisurely studies For those who want to transform an outdoor hobby like hiking into a career, becoming a park ranger may be the path to follow. For Michael Rogers, the decision to become a seasonal park ranger at Ken Caryl Ranch in Littleton, CO ended up being music to his ears. Although Rogers is a professionally-trained opera singer with a degree in vocal performance from University of Puget Sound, he is more than grateful he can partake in both of his dream jobs. Rogers has always enjoyed singing and wanted to make this his primary goal, but when he moved to Colorado, he discovered his love of nature. So when he's got downtime between auditions and performances, he earns a living working outdoors. "This job as a park ranger was a wonderful gift --it allows me to get a real sense of the beauty and diversity of animal and plant life in Colorado,” he points out. "As trite as it may sound, I love being outside all day amongst nature,” says Rogers, who moved to Colorado with his wife just a couple months ago. "I had no idea that so much wildlife--elk, deer, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, fox, a huge array of birds, and amazing foliage--live in our development.” The one negative to his job, Rogers asserts, is doing paperwork. Even still, the excitement outweighs that. "We had to remove a rattlesnake from a hiking trail on my first day,” he recalls. "That was an interesting experience.” Following in Roger's footsteps will take more than a love for nature and the ability to go hiking. A lot goes into a career as a park ranger like fee collecting, law enforcement, and ensuring the safety of millions of people who visit parks and other campgrounds. Not to mention, park rangers work with scientists on a daily basis addressing environmental issues that affect the parks and its visitors. Eduational requirements include a bachelor's degree in park management, natural history, outdoor recreation, or a related environmental field in order to be considered for a full-time position. Most park rangers also work two to five years part time before landing a permanent position. In fact, the BLS projects jobs within this field's private sector to only grow through 2014 due to spurred demand for environmental protection, responsible land management, and water-related issues. Such opportunities can be attributed to arising government regulations. Worldly wishes While most dream positions resurrect from lifelong hobbies like exercise and nature, others--like peace and conflict careers and religious professions--arise out of the desire to help society, promote peace, and encourage ethics. For those attracted by such "make-a-difference” degrees, pursuing related education programs and making solid connections within the field are integral to getting ahead. For Christe S. Bruderlin-Nelson, having pursued a peace and conflict studies (PACS) degree at University of California, Berkeley distinguished her at a college where virtually all of her friends seemed to be going pre-med. The now-freelance writer and consultant on topics related to her passion made a point to reach out beyond her peers for guidance. "I had some amazing professors who taught me many things I've used going forward, particularly with regard to research and checking funding sources for bias--not just the expected international relations and conflict resolution stuff,” she explains. Beyond learning from a mentor, Bruderlin-Nelson sought out meetings with professionals with similar interests. When she wrote a story about the United Nations Millennium Project task force, one of many initiatives that focus on research, she was called upon to interview a Harvard University professor. She not only found a source, but made a friend and colleague. "We had common ties in the peace studies arena, so we connected,” she explains. "I ended up doing research and helping edit his book. Now I take part in an Innovation Policy group, an international think tank that led me to work on education initiatives for youth in West Kenya." Such involvement only solidified her passion for the peace and conflict field further. Similar to Bruderlin-Nelson's mission, approximately 6,000 foreign service officers serve in Washington, D.C. and at nearly 265 U.S. diplomatic posts around the world. They are part of the frontline personnel of all U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions. Sidebar: The Career Landscape for the Offbeat Pro According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' report, "High-Wage, High-Growth Occupations," there are a multitude of offbeat positions for those intrigued by the unconventional. From choreographers to gamers, "offbeat” jobs not only reap fun benefits, but rewarding salaries and recognition as well. Read on: Earning a living a la "Dancing with the Stars": The demand for choreographers is expected to increase almost 17 percent into 2014. Median earnings in 2004 at $33,670 can surely put a little pep in your paycheck step. No glass ceiling here: Not for glaziers, those responsible cutting, installing, replacing, and removing all types of glass. Those in the field anticipate a 14 percent increase in jobs through 2014, with an average salary of $32,650. Betting on a good paycheck: The majority of gaming supervisors, who earn an average yearly salary of $40,840, are employed in casinos. With odds that the field will grow 16% into the next decade, it's no wonder why many are hedging bets on this exciting field. Animal-loving money-makers: Careers for zoologists and wildlife biologists are projected to grow 13 percent through the next decade. And with salaries averaging at $50,330, compensation for animal lovers and bio enthusiasts is anything but horse play. Creating perfect smiles: The job outlook for prosthodontists, who construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures, will grow 13.6 percent thru the next decade. Not only do these dental pros correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws to restore and maintain oral function in affected individuals, they'll be raking in an average of $145,600.
by Ysolt Usigan