Finding the career that’s right for you is a combination of many factors, including the job market when you head out into the world, your skills and aptitudes, and just plain old luck. But perhaps the most important thing to consider when it comes to career choice is fit. A job that’s a bad fit will leave you feeling like you’re walking around in shoes that are just a little bit too small, or trying to write exclusively with your non-dominant hand.
The good news is that no matter who you are or how you like to work, there’s an occupation out there that’s a good fit for you. For example, let’s say that Halloween is your favorite holiday, and you’ve never been grossed out or scared by anything in your life — or at least, not so scared you can’t persevere with what you’re doing.
If this describes you, it might be time to consider one of these spooky jobs:
Having perhaps the classic spooky job, morticians prepare bodies for burial. They may also act as funeral directors or grief counselors, supporting families as they make the final arrangements for their loved ones.
Median Annual Salary: $43,812
How to Get This Job: Funeral service workers are typically required to get an associate degree in funeral service or mortuary science, and generally must be licensed.
Forget ghosts and goblins — real-life creepy-crawlies are worse than any ghoul. Exterminators rid homes and businesses of vermin of all kinds, from rats to roaches to (shudder) bedbugs.
Median Annual Salary: $35,005
How to Get This Job: Pest control workers need to be licensed and generally need a high school diploma, but most training takes place on the job.
In real life, the heroes of any zombie story would likely be epidemiologists, who are charged with investigating how diseases spread (and hopefully halting their progression).
Median Annual Salary: $63,380
How to Get This Job: Most epidemiologists have at least a master’s degree, often in public health, and some have doctoral degrees in medicine or epidemiology.
Don’t be fooled by TV and movies — the life of a real CSI is a lot grittier and less glamorous than it is on film. It’s also an essential part of making sure justice is done and providing closure for victims.
Median Annual Salary: $40,381
How to Get This Job: Most CSIs have at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or the like, and receive on-the-job training.
-
Professional Ghost or Ghoul:
Want to scare the daylights out of kids at a haunted house, or give cemetery tours to willing victims, or give your spooky-flavored local theme park a bit of color? Being a Halloween actor might be for you.
Median Annual Salary: This seasonal job varies widely, with some volunteer and some paid opportunities. Generally, you’re looking at between minimum wage and $11 per hour.
How to Get This Job: Look for haunted attractions near you, and haunt their websites in the months and weeks leading up to Halloween.
Tell Us What You Think
What spooky job would you add to this list? We want to hear from you! Tell us your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter.
Hi Jen,
This post is just amazingly interesting. It’s great how you said at the beginning that no matter what you are or how you are working, there is a fit for everyone! Very inspiring 🙂