Dionne Guischard

Dear AFETT,

I am aware that there are so many cool and non-traditional careers out there, but I have no idea where to begin considering my options.

Any advice for someone like me who wants to explore a path less travelled?

Dear Reader,

It is fantastic that you’re considering a non-traditional career path.

The world of work is evolving and there are countless exciting opportunities beyond the conventional eight-to-four jobs.

While the traditional job market certainly offers stability, there's a whole universe of fulfilling opportunities waiting to be discovered or even created.

Unleash your inner explorer

So, how do you start to explore this path less travelled? With yourself, of course.

I have been to so many seminars, webinars and workshops these last few years that focus on how essential passion and purpose are when it comes to finding fulfilment and satisfaction in your career. So when you’re unleashing your inner explorer, think about what truly ignites your passion and what you value.

For Walt Disney, he was passionate about drawing. He loved to draw from an early age and sold his first drawing when he was young.

He was 27 when he came up with the concept of Mickey Mouse and later went on to become a household name.

The values at Disney are optimism, innovation, decency, quality, community and storytelling. It might have changed somewhat from its founder’s time, but when we think of Mickey Mouse, doesn’t he embody these values?

Walt Disney’s passion and values drove him to undertake a career path and build an empire that was ahead of his time and beyond his time.

Your passion can be a stronger indicator of your potential career path than your skills and strengths, because, let’s face it, there are many things that we’re good at that we don’t enjoy doing.

Think of how many people you know who are great cooks or athletes but find it a chore.

Don’t lose sight of your skills and strengths, though, because understanding these attributes will help you identify a career you have a greater chance of excelling in.

[caption id="attachment_1088162" align="alignnone" width="828"] Dionne Guischard, director of social outreach, AFETT.Photo courtesy AFETT -[/caption]

If Walt Disney couldn’t draw or at least create and describe his characters well enough for someone else to draw, we might not be familiar with his name today.

Become a master of research

The internet has a wealth of information, just waiting to be found, about non-traditional careers for someone with your particular passion, values and skills.

If there is a job for a person who is passionate about and skilled at sleep and who values sleep – professional sleeper – there must be one for you!

So subscribe to platforms like LinkedIn, where you can connect with others in unusual careers, research professional organisations and follow online communities related to your emerging interest. Start broad, because the more information you have, the more equipped you will be to distil to the career that’s mean