Cool Jobs & Facts Around the World

by Bimal Mirwani, Lakshmi Jacota, Mia Yao

Traditional employment remains a vital component for many of today’s youth, especially in countries where these roles have been respected for generations. That said, young people are embracing innovative careers and career paths that reflect their values and lifestyle preferences. In this section, we list both unusual, but legitimate jobs, as well as delve into the reality and dream jobs of people.

Working “Outside the Box”

Northern Lights Spotter

Witnessing the aurora borealis is a dream on many people’s bucket lists. Seeing it even once is a rare and precious experience. In Rovaniemi, Finland, a hotel once introduced a dreamy job opportunity—the “Northern Lights Spotter.” From December to March each year, during the four-month winter season when the northern lights are visible, the spotter is responsible for scanning the sky every night from 11 pm to 6:30 am. Whenever the aurora appears, they must quickly wake up the guests. Spotting the aurora and notifying guests in time is no easy task. While there are no strict qualifications for this job, it requires enduring freezing nights, staying awake, and staring into the Arctic darkness. Since this is a seasonal job, once the season ends, the observer must wait until the next winter.

Food Designer

In recent years, the role of a food designer has emerged in different European countries and the US. Unlike chefs, food designers don’t cook. Instead, they use their creativity to transform everyday dining experiences into a feast for the senses – sight, smell, touch, taste and even hearing. Through food, they tell stories, express emotions and convey attitudes towards life. Ten years ago, the Dutch Institute of Food and Design was founded, and in Milan, one can attend the Scuoloa Politecnica di Design (SPD) to get a master’s degree in food design. There is even an online school of food design founded in 2016 by Francesca Zampollo.

Tree Doctor

Just as veterinarians understand and heal animals, “tree doctors” can communicate with plants and help them thrive. They can tell if a tree is healthy or happy by observing its leaves, branches, and growth patterns. They also sense the unique personality and energy of each tree. For those in the know, they claim that arboriculture and horticulture are a combination of science, art and practice. Becoming a professional tree doctor is a challenging pursuit that requires a broad and in-depth understanding of tree care. The International Society of Arborists offers a voluntary certification programme to assess one’s expertise in this field.

Space Lawyer

The final frontier needs legal experts, too. Space lawyers work on policies from satellite launches to mining on the moon, from liability for damages caused by space objects to the rescue of astronauts and the sharing of information about the dangers in outer space. As space exploration grows, so does the need for professionals who can navigate the legal challenges. If you’re fascinated by both law and space, this could be your calling, with specialised qualifications being offered in over 20 countries around the world.

Professional Bed Tester

While sounding like fun, this is actually a serious job within the quality assurance industry. A bed tester, who is also known as a professional sleeper or product tester, has the primary duty of analysing the comfort of mattresses, blankets, pillows and sheets. They test beds in hotels, as well as for manufacturers and suppliers, and compile detailed reviews on such issues as muscle movement, comfort and evaluating mattresses that utilise technology or are for medical purposes. To be competitive in this field, it is recommended to get some kind of qualification, either a certification or a degree.

Esports Player

Esports, short for electronic sports, refers to competitive video gaming and has grown into a professional sport. It was even confirmed as an official event at the 2022 Asian Games. Asian Games 2026 to be held in Japan’s Aichi and Nagoya will include 11 medal events in esports. According to Esports Market Research Report 2025-2029, the esports market was valued at USD 1.97 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach USD 5.18 billion by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 17.48%. Hong Kong is just beginning to tap into this market and the high economic potential of this emerging field. The industry believes esports can drive growth in technology, media, and telecommunications, while also benefiting sectors like hospitality, tourism, retail, dining, entertainment, and real estate.

Mystery Shopper

The service industry is a major sector in Hong Kong, and maintaining competitiveness requires delivering high-quality service. To monitor the performance of frontline staff, many large companies hire mystery shoppers to test employee responsiveness. Sometimes, these investigations are targeted at addressing specific customer complaints. Mystery shoppers are required to complete specific tasks and submit detailed reports. They undergo training to understand workflows, techniques, and preparation methods, followed by an assessment. Once qualified, they receive briefings before each assignment. The key to success is to “act naturally”—if they are discovered, the mission is considered a failure.

Underwater Drone Operator

One normally thinks of drones flying above us. But what about underwater drones? To become an operator of these high-tech devices underwater is an emerging profession, given the technological advances in the field. Also known as Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) pilots, these professionals map the seabed, monitor marine life, search for shipwrecks and undertake other scientific and environmental exploration. Job locations are both on and off shore, on ships and underwater involves working with people from around the world. A stepping stone to becoming an underwater drone operator is to have an interest or background in marine biology, physics, mechanics or oceanography, among other subjects.

Sports Data Analyst

Are you a real sports fan with knowledge of the stats of your favourite team? Have opinions on how performances can be improved? Then, perhaps becoming a full-time Sports Data Analyst is the perfect job. Using science and data collection, the analyst helps teams strategise, train, perform and predict outcomes, as well as help players reduce injuries and enhance game tactics, all from combining science and sports, while still enjoying watching a game or match.

Animal Prosthetics Engineer

What happens when animals are born with a birth defect or lose a limb due to accidents or illnesses? That is where an expert in making prosthetics specially for animals comes in. Helping animals regain their mobility requires dedication from professionals who have engineering, design and veterinary backgrounds. With specialised training available around the world, these professionals have assisted not just dogs and cats, but elephants, toucans, parakeets, llamas, turtles and even crocodiles.

What are their dream jobs?

A study conducted by Remitly in 2022 delved into the dream jobs of people in 186 countries and regions by analysing Google search trends. What the results revealed proved startling as becoming a pilot continued to hold the top spot. Those pursuing traditional careers as attorneys and police officers saw major boosts, along with positions within the medical field, such as pharmacists, nurses, and physical therapists.

Interestingly, there was a notable downward trend in the number of people looking to become actors and YouTubers. On the flip side, those seeking careers as dietitians, midwives, and real estate agents skyrocketed, suggesting a growing emphasis is being placed on important industries that have an impact on people’s everyday lives.

Top 20 dream jobs

Reality Bites 

While Google search paints a global picture of what people’s dream jobs are, what is the reality on the ground?

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is seeing a notable shift away from traditional corporate jobs as youths are showing a tendency to carve out their own path and chase after jobs that align with their own interests, or what is known as a “slasher” workstyle.

According to a Federation survey conducted in 2022, nearly four-fifths of the people polled said that they preferred multiple jobs at the same time, rather than work a conventional 9 to 5 job. A later MWYO study in 2024 indicated that of the 506 respondents aged between 18 to 34 that were studied, 85.2% were employed full-time, while 14.8% were either working part-time or were self-employed.

The reasons given were that they could earn higher wages doing multiple jobs and that they may not have the qualifications for a higher-paying full-time job. Others said they preferred a flexible schedule and wanted a better work-life balance. Most respondents ranked happiness and an alignment with their values as important factors in seeking jobs.

Mainland China 

Mainland China is seeing a drastic deviation from conventional vocations as youngsters are flocking to find jobs that will, in a nutshell, pay the bills.

Due to the economic downturn, many graduates with degrees from prominent universities find it difficult to find jobs in their current fields. As a result, they are settling for more menial roles as restaurant and delivery workers in order to survive. In fact, jobs within the restaurant industry saw a major surge in the number of employees aged 25 and younger, making up 44.1% of new hires in the sector in the first quarter of 2024.

Another area of growth is in the rise of e-sports gaming, especially over the last few years and it comes as no surprise that many Chinese youngsters are trying to cash in on this growing industry.

Indonesia

Youth unemployment has been a critical issue for Indonesia as many capable and talented individuals are having a tough time finding work. In 2023, the unemployment rate among those aged 15 to 24 stood just under 14%. Given the difficulties youngsters have in finding jobs, they have started gravitating towards certain types of vocations.  Since full-time jobs are both hard to find and tough to keep hold of, Indonesia’s youth are choosing to become freelancers as it allows them to work on projects anytime, anywhere, while also setting their own payment rates. Many are also takeing it upon themselves to start their own businesses in the hopes of making it big and no longer having to rely on the turbulent job market to survive.

Japan

Japan, dealing with an aging population, has also seen young people express more interest in flexible rather than fixed working hours, according to a survey by the Japan Youth Research Institute. It was determined that over 60% of respondents aged 18-30 expressed a desire for careers that allow for flexibility and creativity, suggesting a significant shift from traditional notions of success. Young people were seeking employment opportunities in freelance work and start-ups. They were also attracted to working independently as graphic designers, writers and digital marketers.

South Korea

In 2024, the top jobs among young people in South Korea were influenced by factors including personal aspirations and market demand. A survey involving 38,481 students was conducted by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the Ministry of Education.

Being a professional athlete was a popular choice among elementary school students. The allure of sports figures like footballer Son Heung-min heavily contributes to this aspiration.

However, what were known in the past as “decent jobs” are diminishing quickly. College graduates find themselves in an ever-intensifying competition. As a result, a small but growing number of younger Koreans have been choosing vocational, blue-collar jobs, including painters, construction workers, caulkers and fitters. They argue that though the jobs are hard, they appreciate the camaraderie with their co-workers and that they sometimes even earn more than office workers because of the skills required.

Germany

Germany has had a long history of offering apprenticeships to its young people. However, by the end of 2023, a record-breaking 70,000 apprenticeship positions remained vacant, according to official figures. It now appears that nearly one in five individuals aged 20 to 34 lacks a vocational qualification. On the other hand, the fastest growing job sectors in the country, for recruitment locally as well as from abroad, are in IT and technology, healthcare, digital marketing, fintech, and green energy.

Sweden

The “soft girl” phenomenon is a trend in Sweden of young women opting out of the workforce to embrace a lifestyle centred on femininity, homemaking, and financial dependence on their partners. This trend, popularised on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, celebrates women prioritising self-care, personal relationships, and a slower pace of life outside of corporate pressures. The trend has faced criticism from feminists who view it as a step backward for gender equality, reminiscent of a time when women were largely confined to domestic roles.

US

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 54.8% of young individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 found employment in predominantly service provision fields in July 2023.  These included approximately 25% of youngsters aged 16 to 24 working in leisure and hospitality, making it the industry with the highest proportion of young workers.  About 17.6% of youth employment was in retail roles, such as cashiers, customer service representatives, and retail sales associates. A further 12.5% of young people worked in education and health services, taking up roles as teacher’s assistants and home health aides. A growing awareness of mental health and wellness has spurred growth in this industry, leading many youngsters to seek jobs that provide meaningful contributions to their communities.

The New Career Landscape

Traditional employment remains a vital component for many of today’s youth, especially in countries where these roles have been respected for generations. That said, youngsters are embracing innovative career paths that reflect their values and lifestyle preferences. The rise of remote work and the expansion of emerging industries are reshaping how young people view their professional futures, allowing them to prioritise flexibility, creativity, and personal fulfilment. However, the reality of actual navigation in seeking meaningful work is driving many to explore opportunities beyond conventional roles, ultimately leading to a more diverse and dynamic job market. This shift not only highlights the adaptability of the younger generation but also signals a significant transformation in the nature of work itself. ■