Some career paths you might not have considered

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Some career paths you might not have considered

It’s no secret that the jobs market is a tough nut to crack, especially when the country is still clawing its way out of an economic downturn. If you're struggling to find a job, or are simply looking for something different, exciting or challenging, here are three options you might not have considered:

1.      Freelancing

There are many areas in which you can freelance, from journalism and marketing to television production or even fitness coaching. Many people like the idea of being self-employed but you should also be prepared for the realities.

While you are indeed technically self-employed you will usually be working on short-term projects for a series of clients and you might find the deadlines are tight and there are high expectations. It can also be difficult finding enough work, especially at first. You could find yourself spending almost as much time hunting for clients as actually working, or turning to agencies that will take part of your fee. You will also have to sort your own tax and other financial affairs and, while you can often set your own hours and working patterns, you will not usually be eligible for holiday pay.

2.      Working at sea

There is a huge variety of careers waiting for you in the maritime industry. The UK remains a major force in the international shipping industry and commercial shipping is a significant contributor to the country's economy.

A career at sea brings with it a wealth of opportunities, from the rank of captain to chief engineer, electro-technical officer or an on-board hotel operations manager. There are also a host of related shore-based opportunities, such as surveying ships to check seaworthiness, roles in port and harbour management, maritime law and arbitration. For more information on careers and courses, check out Warsash Maritime Academy careers at sea.

3.      Joining a start-up

At the start of 2013, there were an estimated 4.9 million businesses in the UK and the vast majority were small and medium enterprises.* New businesses start up all the time and, if you get in at the ground floor, you might be part of an enterprise that changes the world.

However, you should also be aware of the risks. Around 20% of new businesses fail within the first year and only half will make it beyond their third year. That said, many people prefer being a big fish in a small pond to being a cog in a multinational corporation. If you're filled with the entrepreneurial spirit and have a great idea, you might want to start your own small business.