25 Most Interesting Jobs in the World
In this article, we will talk about the 25 most interesting jobs in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of employment trends in the US, head straight to the 10 Most Interesting Jobs in the World.
Employment Trends in the US
In recent years, the US has witnessed huge shifts in its employment landscape. The most prominent trend in employment in the US has been the ongoing labor shortage. As of August 2023, there are approximately 9.6 million job openings that have outnumbered the available workforce by 3.6 million. This shortage, which shows no signs of abating, essentially poses a formidable challenge for employers across different sectors.
Moreover, the job market has evolved with a notable emphasis on remote work. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and flexible work arrangements. By 2023, approximately 36% of the US. workforce continues to work remotely at least part of the time. This indicates the growing demand for work-life balance and the recognition that remote work can enhance productivity and attract talent from different geographic locations. To read more about remote jobs, check out our article on 30 High-Paying Remote Jobs Without a Degree or Experience.
Wage growth has been another prominent feature of the US labor market. In July 2023, wages rose by 0.4% compared to the previous month, and thus, contributed to an annual increase of 4.4% compared to July 2022. These wage increases have played a pertinent role in boosting consumer spending. Retail sales have hence, seen consistent growth, with a 0.7% increase in July. When adjusted for inflation, this growth is even more substantial.
Looking ahead, the labor market's resilience remains a focal point. Although there are concerns about the potential for a slowdown in economic growth, job creation continues to outpace expectations. While businesses added 187,000 jobs in July 2023, inflation remains a concern, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by 3.2% annually in July. Although this figure is lower than its peak in June 2022, it still exceeds the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. It is also worth noting that core inflation has slowed to 4.3% from 4.7% for the 12 months ending in August 2023.
Companies with Interesting Jobs
Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX)'s work culture is renowned for its emphasis on freedom and responsibility, a philosophy that has propelled the company to remarkable success. According to Jessica Neal, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix, the company's approach is built on trust in its employees, enabling them to feel empowered and valued. Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX) doesn't burden its workforce with unnecessary processes and rules and grants them the freedom to make decisions, even giving every employee a credit card without an expense policy.
In addition to its distinctive corporate culture, Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX) offers interesting job opportunities such as “tagger" positions. These Netflix taggers are responsible for watching and categorizing content, helping improve the company's recommendation algorithms. It's a dream job for cinephiles that allows them to combine their passion for movies and TV shows with meaningful work that influences the viewing experiences of millions worldwide. To read more about such jobs, check out our article on the most fun jobs that pay well.
Apart from the excellent work culture and job opportunities at Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX), Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX) has shown solid financial performance with excellent revenue growth. Polen Focus Growth Strategy made the following comment about Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter:
“In 2022, some of our holdings had difficulty achieving revenue growth in line with their long-term trends because of difficult comparisons and changing COVID dynamics. Now, most of these companies have experienced a rebound in revenue growth and have also shown a newfound willingness to control their operating expenditures, yielding substantial margin expansion and earnings growth. For example, Amazon and Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) (two of our top three absolute contributors to our return in 2Q) are exercising more stringent spending discipline while revenue growth accelerates, a powerful combination for earnings growth in our view.
The top absolute contributors to the Portfolio’s performance in the second quarter were Amazon, Netflix, and Microsoft. As mentioned, Amazon and Netflix are seeing their revenue growth accelerate after a difficult 2022 while keeping expense growth in check. We expect robust earnings growth for both companies in 2023 and growth rates in the mid-teens or higher well into the future.”
On the other hand, Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) maintains a work culture that emphasizes flexibility and collaboration. In June 2021, Meta Plafroms Inc (NASDAQ:META) extended its remote work policy to all full-time employees, acknowledging the success of remote work during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) has recently evolved its remote work policies, it remains focused on creating an environment where employees can excel, leveraging both in-person and remote work for the benefit of its workforce.
Although Meta Plaforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) does not offer a job as dreamy as a Netflix tagger, one can become an ad manager on the platform and earn thousands of dollars. To become a Facebook ads manager, one needs to gain experience, learn about the platform, and get certified. The average salary for a Facebook ads manager in the United States is $60,142. This is a creative and interesting career path that can be very highly financially rewarding.
Financially, Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) reported an 11% YoY increase in revenue for the second quarter of 2023 and reached $32 billion. Profits also saw a huge boost and surged by 16% to reach $7.8 billion. These positive financial outcomes were driven, in part, by improvements implemented in Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META)’s advertising technology through the use of artificial intelligence.
Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock.com
Methodology
For our list of the most interesting jobs in the world, we have tried to include jobs with a “variety in tasks”, “challenging nature of work”, “passion alignment” and “sense of purpose or meaning”. We understand that these terms are subjective and depend on the perception of the individual in question. Hence, we have tried to give an overall score to the level of being interesting after reading several Reddit threads related to such jobs. The jobs listed have a mix of all the indicators mentioned above and the scoring is based on consensus out of a total score of 50.
Please note that the list is highly subjective.
Here is a list of 25 Most Interesting Jobs in the World.
25. Astronaut
IM Score: 24
Astronauts have an interesting job as it involves venturing into the unknown by conducting groundbreaking scientific research in space and inspiring humanity's exploration of space. The job offers a unique blend of adventure, discovery, and innovation.
24. Archaeologist
IM Score: 25
Archaeologists unearth and decode ancient civilizations by piecing together history's puzzles. Their work is to identify hidden treasures, reveal human stories, and contribute to the understanding of the past. It is one of the most interesting jobs in the world.
23. Wildlife Photographer
IM Score: 27
Wildlife photographers venture into wild habitats to capture animals in their natural environments. Hence, their job not only demands a deep connection with nature, it also requires them to be engaged thoroughly to succeed.
22. Ethical Hacker
IM Score: 28
By proactively identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities, ethical hackers help protect individuals, businesses, and society from cyber threats. This sense of purpose makes them feel like they are involved in one of the most meaningful jobs in the world.
21. Travel Blogger
IM Score: 29
Travel bloggers allow individuals to explore new places, share their experiences, and connect with a global audience. However, it can also be challenging due to the need for consistent content creation and the competitive nature of the industry.
20. Forensic Scientist
IM Score: 30
The job of a forensic scientist is highly engaging as it involves solving crimes through scientific analysis, from DNA to trace evidence which helps bring justice to victims. It is one of the most meaningful jobs in the world that pay well.
19. Video Game Developer
IM Score: 32
Owing to the creative aspect of video game development, professionals are able to craft visually engaging content, from films to video games, while leveraging technology to captivate and entertain audiences in a plethora of ways. It is one of the unique careers in demand.
18. Extreme Sports Instructor
IM Score: 33
Extreme sports instructors essentially have a job that merges a love for adrenaline-pumping activities with the joy of teaching. It is one of the most interesting jobs in the world.
17. Cryptocurrency Analyst
IM Score: 35
The cryptocurrency analyst deciphers market trends and uncovers investment opportunities in a rapidly evolving financial industry. The average annual salary of a crypto analyst in the US is $83,388, according to Glassdoor.
16. Film Director
IM Score: 36
Film direction allows creative visionaries to craft compelling narratives, shape cinematic experiences, and bring stories to life, leaving a lasting impact on audiences through the art of storytelling and filmmaking. It is also one of the most desirable jobs in the world.
15. Food Critic
IM Score: 37
Food critics have one of the most exciting jobs in the world as they get to sample different cuisines while assessing their flavors, presentation, and ambiance. It is also one of the unique jobs that pay well.
14. Toy Creator
IM Score: 38
Toy creation is one of the most interesting jobs because it combines creativity, imagination, and the ability to spark joy in children. Toy creators brainstorm innovative concepts, craft prototypes, and refine designs to captivate young minds. They have the unique privilege of shaping childhood memories while fostering learning experiences through play, and thus, contribute to the universal language of fun for children.
13. Criminal Profiler
IM Score: 39
A criminal profiler is a specialized law enforcement professional who analyzes crime scenes, evidence, and behavioral patterns to create a psychological profile of potential suspects. They use their expertise in psychology and criminology to understand and predict the likely characteristics, motivations, and behaviors of criminals. It is one of the most interesting jobs in the world.
12. Chocolate Taster
IM Score: 40
A chocolate taster is also known as a sensory analyst who evaluates different elements of chocolate. Their role involves assessing the appearance, aroma, texture, and flavor of chocolates to ensure quality and consistency. This sensory analysis is crucial for maintaining product quality and developing new chocolate varieties. It is one of the most unique jobs in the world. To read more about such jobs, check out our article on 22 cool jobs you have never heard of.
11. Sommelier
IM Score: 41
Sommeliers have a deep understanding of wines, from their origins to flavor profiles. It allows them to curate exceptional wine experiences and add an oomph to dining experiences for guests. It is one of the 20 High-Paying Dream Jobs You Didn’t Know Existed.
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Disclosure: 25 Most Interesting Jobs in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.