For many people, the idea of having a job where they work standard 9-5 hours is ideal. That’s because they want a career where their jobs have a set routine, and they know they don’t have to work unusual hours or commit to overtime.

However, others prefer to have jobs they can fit around their lifestyle commitments or simply prefer jobs that are more challenging than using a computer in an office for 7+ hours each day.

If the latter describes your ideal career, you’ve come to the right place. The following details five examples of alternative careers where you aren’t working 9-5 hours and thrive on new challenges:

 

Commercial Diver-Welder

 

One of the most unusual and uncommon ways to earn a living is by becoming a commercial diver-welder. As the title suggests, the job involves diving and performing underwater welding tasks using hyperbaric welding techniques.

It’s a job for someone who loves diving and swimming and is happy to work in significantly deep depths. The job involves building and repairing structures like undersea pipelines and drilling platforms.

Salaries of $100,000 or more are commonplace for this specialist role – especially given the unsafe working environment.

 

Private Investigator

 

Do you prefer to stay on land? If so, and you’re constantly challenging and checking things, another career choice for you to consider is a private investigator or PI. Sometimes known as private detectives, PIs carry out all manner of investigative work for private clients.

It’s a job where you’d typically work for yourself rather than an employer, and no two days are ever the same. As your own boss, you get to set your rates, working hours, and days, and have plenty of travel opportunities.

 

River Rafting Guide

 

If the idea of working on dry land isn’t much fun for you, but you don’t want to work several thousand feet below sea level, you could always become a river rafting guide.

It’s an excellent way to guide tourists and others on trips in your local area and traverse it by river rather than land. Safety is paramount, of course, as you’ll be in charge of leading and navigating a group of people.

 

EMS Professional

 

Back on dry land again, and if you’d prefer a career where you’re always helping others and aren’t stuck in an office every day, it’s worth looking at EMS jobs.

 

EMS professionals provide immediate and emergency medical care to people. Given the nature of the job, they must work well under pressure, have strong decision-making skills, and know how to provide high-quality patient care.

 

Crane Operator

 

Lastly, if you’ve got a head for heights and want an unusual job, have you ever considered becoming a crane operator?

Crane operators are skilled and highly-trained workers who operate and control cranes on construction sites, manufacturing plants, and dockyards, to name just three examples.

They must have excellent spatial awareness and communication skills and adhere to all safety and operational rules and regulations at all times.