Choosing a career—whether by taking the traditional route of going to university, deciding to do something until you become good enough, or starting and building a business to make a lot of money—is a difficult decision for many people.
This is especially difficult if you come from a country or family where things like getting a degree that earns you “respect” and guarantees a good position are very important, even though you could end up in a job you don't like or one that requires patience.
You may also have never explored your options during your school years by taking classes or courses, or simply experimenting or using the internet. But it's never too late to find what you really want to do, and you deserve to do it.
There are far more jobs than you might expect
You probably already know about some of the careers available to you, including unusual university courses such as “library science,” or professions that seem reserved for very talented or lucky people, such as actors and scientists.
But there are many other jobs you may not know about. A quick search for job openings at video game studios will turn up a host of specialized roles, and the same is true of film production companies, to name just a couple of examples.
You may even be interested in areas such as art, film, or technology, but feel that working in them is simply too difficult. Try looking at it another way: people do work in these fields, so why couldn't you be one of them?
The most important thing is to explore the things you enjoy more closely and discover all the roles involved. With practice, internet access, patience, and dedication, you can find the ideal job.
These are some jobs you may not have considered before
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3D Art
If you enjoy playing video games or watching animated films, especially 3D animated films like those from Pixar, you might enjoy 3D art, also known as CG art (Computer Graphics).
Many people may find this field intimidating or mysterious, especially when it comes to figuring out how to work in it. However, anyone with a computer can learn to create this kind of art.
The software used for this can be expensive. Fortunately, there is Blender, which is completely free, as capable of creating professional 3D art as any other software, and supported by a large community with plenty of tutorials.
One of the best things about it is the range of specializations. You can model (create the shapes), sculpt, texture, animate, or focus on something specific, such as characters or environments. Drawing skills can be very helpful, but they aren't necessary.
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Programming
You probably already know about programming: you may know that the programs, apps, and games you use are created by people who write code on computers.
The problem is that society often has an inaccurate idea of what programmers do, portraying them as geniuses and hackers, which can make programming seem intimidating to many people.
But the truth is that programming is more accessible than it might seem, and there are many resources available to help you learn. Programming also has many applications, including web development, video game development, business and enterprise applications, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
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Design
Perceptions of design can vary widely. Some people think designers are artists and that you need to be able to draw to become one; others see them as people obsessed with how things look, or simply as people who use Photoshop.
But in reality, while designers do try to make things look as good as possible, that is only one part of design. In general, designers are more focused on creating a good and satisfying experience.
There are also many branches of design. Today, UX/UI design (user experience and user interface) and IxD (interaction design) are among the most popular, in-demand, and well-paid fields, so it is worth finding out more about these fascinating professions.
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Video game development or design
If you enjoy playing video games, especially if you have done so since you were a child, you have probably at some point thought about how great it would be to create your own games, or at least wondered how they are made.
The challenge is that making a video game can involve a wide range of skills and people, depending on the size of the project. A video game developer might work on the art, design, programming, or even the music.
Today, there are various free or affordable technologies, as well as plenty of resources to help you get started making video games. There are many different areas involved in creating a video game, and you can work in more than one, but do not worry about doing everything—video games are mostly made by groups or teams.
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Sound design
One of the less frequently mentioned professions, sound design can involve other areas of music and sound, such as production, post-production, or even musical composition.
A sound designer is responsible for ensuring that the sound used in productions—especially audiovisual or interactive ones, such as video games, television, and film—helps create the atmosphere, fits the scene, enriches it, and helps tell the story.
The skills and technologies used by sound designers can vary, so it is worth finding out more about them. But analyzing the sound in your favorite films and video games could be a good first step.
