By- Sunidhi Beeliya

Unconventional career choices might be challenging at first, however, the benefits associated with these are promising. Today's job opportunities are the ones that didn't exist a few years ago. Similarly, the pace of technological evolution would continue to generate millions of new jobs in the future that we can't think of today. Equipping oneself with relevant, unique, evolving, and out-of-the-box skills, is thus, an important aspect for young graduates aiming to start their own business or land a secure job. As parents, education institutions, and the government are now motivating the youngsters to walk an extra mile, think of new ideas, and explore new career routes, students have gathered the confidence and courage to pursue their interests. For those who don't align with the traditional work culture, believe in doing something revolutionary, aim to pursue their passion, and wish to make an impact, learning an offbeat skill could be exciting and rewarding. Here are a few more reasons that would add up to your decision of learning an offbeat skill.

1.Pursuing your passion – Whether painting, dancing, writing, scripting, anchoring or travelling, passion fuels your willingness to work. Mastery in an offbeat skill would help you turn your interests, passions, and dreams into reality. While working professionally in the field of your choice, you stay motivated, continue learning, experience a sense of accomplishment, feel positive and energetic, broaden your horizon, and constantly discover new career opportunities. For those with multiple interests or hobbies, you must first assess your strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats of building a career in those fields. This will help you to determine your capabilities, make the right decisions, and stay focussed, consistent, innovative, and dedicated towards your career.

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2.Earning potential – Delayed results, sleepless nights, lack of resources, hefty equipment costs, and fewer earnings initially, are a few complications associated with pursuing offbeat careers. However, once you build your recognition, loyal clients, and credibility, your craft will be appreciated by everyone. Unlike 9-5 jobs wherein your earnings would increase by 10-20% annually, earning potential in offbeat domains is humongous. Few photographers during weddings and festive seasons, scriptwriters working for top-notch brand ads, and animators designing their own video games, earn more than someone's 2-year package within 2-5 months. Your expertise, experience, knowledge of the field, quality of work, and ability to market yourself could help you fetch a lucrative amount once you are established.

Constantly learning new things helps to stay updated and meet demand Photo by Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash

3.Possibility to build a great network – Offbeat career choices like animation, photography, video editing, blogging, digital art, calligraphy, playing guitar, or creative writing feature a great scope for networking. You build your own professional portfolio, reach out to experts in your niche, connect with more people, do your own PR and marketing, build your visibility on social media, and develop long-lasting relationships that help you in career progression. You get access to more work, stay informed, get expert advice and suggestions, gain new insights, and strengthen your social skills that are essential for growth. Pursuing a career in an offbeat skill is thus an excellent way to meet new people, showcase your ability to the world, make lasting connections, and grow profoundly.

Also read: Skills You Can Learn At Home

4.Be your own boss – Offbeat fields have enormous choices when it comes to choosing the place, time, duration, and type of work. You can start as an intern or freelancer, can work on a contractual basis with private or government firms, work for multiple clients at a time, or can start your own business. You set your own short term goals, mission, vision, and deadlines, have the freedom to choose projects that excite you, and quote prices that justify your talent and skills. Unlike fixed commitments wherein the work is driven by company expectations, here you can connect with your clients and customers anywhere, anytime, enjoy a great work-life balance, do a variety of work, work in-office or from home, and live life on your own terms.

5.Constant learning and progress – As trends and technology keep advancing, success in offbeat careers require you to be dynamic, up-to-date, active, creative, innovative, and self-motivated. You need to master the latest trends, in-demand hard and soft skills, new software or tools, and analysis and marketing tactics to stay in the competition and have steady career growth. Obtaining certifications might also become essential to display your competency, validate your expertise in your domain, showcase your commitment, and assure your clients that your skills are worth considering. Thus, learning through part-time or online courses would become an essential element of your life once you start working in an offbeat field. You would be constantly eager to learn and acquire more knowledge, discover new techniques of working, compete passionately, and grow in your career.

Courtesy: Internshala Trainings (training.internshala.com) – e-learning platform to learn new-age skills from Internshala

Keywords: Passion, Techniques, Offbeat Skills, Career, Potential