Many of us have a knack for a particular skill that brings us a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment outside of the office. In most cases we take the time to practice and perfect these skills and can spend our weekend happily plugging away at something other than a computer screen.
But how many of you have thought about turning your hobby into a full on career? Scary prospect, we know. However at Training and Courses we believe that if you’ve got passion and enthusiasm towards a particular subject then there’s every reason to at least look at the idea of creating a new 9 to 5.
There are so many hobbies that have the potential to give you job satisfaction and really help you see the fruits of your labour by demonstrating your talent to a wider audience. Here are our top picks of hobbies that can make some interesting and exciting careers.
Photography
Smartphones have made picture snapping all the more common nowadays, but if you’re really passionate about developing a distinct style and you’ve invested in a professional camera, then what’s stopping you from turning this hobby into a career? There are courses you can take that will develop your knowledge and technical know-how. Paired with your natural ability to capture a picturesque image, you could build up your portfolio, create an online website and market your services. Wedding and family photography are among the most popular areas so competition can be fierce, but with enough talent, you’ll be able to stand out from the crowd.
Crafting
Crafting doesn’t necessarily have to be something you do to pass time. If utilised properly, you could turn your particular skill into a business. Etsy is a great platform to showcase your creations and even build up your brand. Some sellers on Etsy have reportedly earned up to $1mn in revenue from their sales alone. Whether you love creating stylish accessories or quirky stationery, chances are there is a market for this and you can make some extra cash from creating items you love.
Pet Services
There are some people who love animals and then there are others who will transform their love into a career. Believe it or not there is a lot of money to be made within pet services. Whether it’s pet-sitting or dog walking, there are numerous websites that offer these services and people are more than happy to invest in them if it means their furry companions are taken care of.
Cooking and Baking
Opportunities with food are countless. If you’re a seasoned baker then starting an online business and even setting up a local stall could give you the exposure you need to get your venture off the ground. If your talents lie in dishes from your cultural background that are usually a hit with your neighbours, then it may be worth considering branching into catering. Cooking for friends and hosting dinner parties is great, but why not be paid for your efforts and cater for parties cooking food you know and love? If your culinary skills encompasses several cuisines and you’re very conscious about the type of ingredients and nutritional value your food contains, then you may be cut out to be a personal chef. Believe it or not, people want to eat healthy and are willing to pay for this especially if they have busy lifestyles.
Hair and Make Up
Hair and makeup are great areas to forge a second career. Despite there being loads of online tutorials and beauty bloggers out there, there’s nothing quite like getting a professional in to glam you up. Utilising social media in order to showcase your full scope within hair and makeup is a great way to attract new clients and build up your following and presence online. Alternatively taking a course to attain qualifications or even an apprenticeship, which is how many famous hairdressers started out, could be the way forward for you.
Writing
There are so many ways to transform your love for writing into a career. Even though there is fierce competition within the industry, this is one career that thrives off of creativity and imagination. Starting as a freelancer will give you exposure to different sectors and help you find your voice and subjects that really ignite your passion. Freelancing for publications isn’t the only option though. Taking a novel writing course can lay down the basic rules you need to write an exceptional novel. The rest is up to you and how far you can stretch your imagination.
