Buckle up, it's time for your careers road trip!

We’ve all heard of ‘traditional’ careers such as becoming a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, or an entrepreneur – but what if you don’t want a traditional career or you’re not sure where you want to go after sixth form or college? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

Below, we’ve researched five different industries – agriculture, humanities, project management, STEM and uniformed services – and we’ve explored some of the lesser-known career paths you could potentially go down. If you like the sound of any of the below careers, you can begin writing your own career plan using either our progression route planner or our GROW worksheet. Alternatively, you can use these careers as a starting point for your own research in different industry sectors and job roles. The most important thing is to have fun exploring!

Agriculture

When you think of agriculture, do you think of open countryside, crops, tractors, or livestock? While there are many jobs available on farms, the agricultural sector doesn’t stop in the farmyard. Take a look below at our top four unusual jobs within the agricultural sector and where they could take you:

Agricultural engineering technician

As an agricultural engineering technician, you’ll be helping agricultural engineers to develop new products, testing machinery, researching market trends and creating equipment plans using computer aided design (CAD) software. You’ll need solid maths and design skills, possess great attention to detail and have analytical thinking skills.

Average salary: £23,000 – £38,000

Typical working hours per week: 40-42

Qualifications needed: 3 A Levels or equivalent for a degree/foundation degree in Agriculture or Agricultural Engineering

Further education courses:

Myerscough College

Kendal College

Higher education courses:

Harper Adams University – BEng (Hons) Agricultural Engineering

University Centre Myerscough

Apprenticeships:

Myerscough College – Level 3 Land-based Service Engineer (LBSE) Technician

Find more apprenticeship providers for this job on the government website here.

Countryside officer

Countryside officers help to manage, protect, and improve the local environment. Not only will you have a direct impact on your local countryside through conducting surveys and carrying out research, you’ll also be encouraging visitors to the countryside, educating the public and help to promote sustainability.

Average salary: £22,000 – £34,000

Typical working hours per week: 39-41

Qualifications needed: 3 A Levels or equivalent for a degree/foundation degree in Ecology, Zoology, Animal Conservation or similar

Further education courses:

Myerscough College

Higher education courses:

University Centre Myerscough – FdSc Ecology and Conservation Management

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Animal Conservation Science

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Zoology

Lancaster University – BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation (Study Abroad)

Edge Hill University – BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation

Apprenticeships:

Craven College – Level 2 Countryside Worker

Bridgwater and Taunton College – Level 4 Countryside Ranger

Soil and plant scientist

These scientists gather and interpret data from soil and plants and use this information to help sustain biodiversity, combat climate change and offer advice on sustainable agricultural production. You’ll need to be able to think logically to interpret data, have good communication skills and be able to plan and conduct independent research.

Average salary: £16,000 – £35,000

Typical working hours per week: 37-40 (plus some weekend working if in a lab or out in the field)

Qualifications needed: 3 A Levels or equivalent for a degree in Plant Science, Biology, Biomedical Science or similar

Further education courses:

Myerscough College

Kendal College

Agriculture, Land Management & Production T Level

Higher education courses:

University Centre Myerscough

Lancaster University

Edge Hill University – BSc (Hons) Plant Science

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Apprenticeships:

Cranfield University – Soil Science Apprenticeship with MSc in Soil Science

Farm manager

As a farm manager, you’ll be ensuring the smooth running of a farm or estate by overseeing day-to-day operations and making sound business decisions. You’ll be expected to plan farm finances, be responsible for machinery maintenance, ensure working operations are up to current health and safety standards, as well as muck in with daily jobs such as feeding livestock, milking or driving tractors.

Average salary: £20,000 – £35,000

Typical working hours per week: various, but depending on the size of the farm, you might also be on call 24/7 and may have to work extra hours according to seasonally demand (e.g. lambing time or harvest time)

Qualifications needed: 3 A Levels or equivalent for a degree/foundation degree in Agriculture, Farm Management or similar

Further education courses:

Myerscough College

Kendal College

Agriculture, Land Management & Production T Level

Higher education courses:

Harper Adams University – BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management

Royal Agricultural University – FdSc Agriculture and Farm Management

University Centre Myerscough – BSc (Hons) Agriculture

Apprenticeships:

Myerscough College – Level 3 Livestock Unit Technician Apprenticeship

Humanities

A career in the humanities doesn’t just mean studying history or literature. You could be employed by the government, work abroad for a non-profit organisation, or be part of the vibrant UK arts scene. The great thing about studying for a humanities-related degree or qualification is that you’ll learn lots of transferrable skills, which means you’re not stuck with one particular career path. Take a look below at the lesser-known jobs within the humanities sector below and see where they could take you:

Archaeologist

Archaeologists take a hands-on approach to the past, helping to make new discoveries and change what we know about history. You could be a field archaeologist, persevering to excavate a site using various tools whilst paying attention to detail. You could also work in the laboratory, carefully recording and analysing soil samples or recently unearthed artefacts. You’ll also spend time at the office, researching new sites and writing up reports from old sites to keep an accurate record of the past for years to come.

Salary: £21,000- £36,000

Typical working hours per week: 38 – 41 (plus some weekend working if in a lab or out in the field).

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree in Archaeology, plus potentially a master’s degree.

Further education courses:

Access to HE: Humanities & Social Sciences – Kendal College

Level 3 Extended Qualification in Science (Laboratory Sciences with Placement) – Carlisle College

Higher education courses:

BSc (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology – University of Central Lancashire

BSc (Hons) Archaeology – University of Central Lancashire

BA (Hons) History and Archaeology – Newcastle University

Apprenticeships:

Historic Environment Advice Assistant (Archaeologist) – Mott Macdonald Limited

Diplomatic service officer

As a diplomatic service officer, you’ll be interested in representing and protecting British interests around the world. Based in the UK or one of its embassies, you’ll be drafting/proofreading reports on the overseas events under your purview. Other administration tasks could include organising arrangements for diplomatic visits, handling budgets and liaising with other offices/embassies. You’ll also be working with the public, listening to their concerns and offering advice on matters like visa applications.

Average salary: £32,000 – £46,000

Typical working hours per week: 37 to 40

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree in either Political Science, Economics, Foreign Policy, International Relations or similar

HR Apprenticeship – BAE Industries

Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Scheme – Civil Service

TV programme researcher

Programme researchers undertake a variety of tasks to bring ideas to life on TV. You’ll undertake detailed research for an array of projects, paying attention to the smallest of details, and persuasively presenting your work to others. You may even assist with production by booking suitable facilities as well as sourcing visuals/music. You’ll also support other staff members, whether by taking on admin roles such as answering telephone calls or disseminating information. Your determination may be rewarded with the chance to watch your ideas play out on screen!

Average salary: £16,000 – £40,000

Typical working hours per week: depends on the project – will likely include evenings and weekends during busy periods.

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree in Broadcasting and Media, Art, Journalism or similar.

Further education courses:

Level 2 Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology – Carlisle College

Level 3 Content Creation and Production – Kendal College

Higher education courses:

BA (Hons) Film, Media and Cultural Studies – Lancaster University

BA (Hons) Media and Television Production – University of Central Lancashire

BA (Hons) Theatre and English Literature – Lancaster University

BA (Hons) History and Politics – Edge Hill

BA (Hons) Journalism – University of Central Lancashire

Apprenticeships:

BBC Early Careers

ITV Apprenticeships

Channel 4 Apprenticeships

Project Management

Project management is a huge buzzword right now, but what exactly IS it? Simply put, project management is the planning and organisation of a project in order to achieve a particular goal. All businesses rely on projects to some degree – whether that’s planning an in-house marketing campaign or delivering a multi-million-pound construction scheme. There are many different jobs available within this sector, however, we’ve highlighted four below to show you the range of different roles available:

Supply chain manager

This job role will vary according to what sector and what part of the supply chain you’re managing, but generally, you’ll be responsible for managing supplier contracts, planning how goods get to their end destination, preparing forecasts and inventories and looking at ways to improve the supply chain network. You’ll need good business management skills, have great attention to detail and be able to use different IT packages competently.

Average salary: £24,000 – £48,000

Typical working hours per week: 38 – 40

Qualifications needed: 3 A Levels or equivalent for a degree/foundation degree in Business Management, Logistics or similar

Further education courses:

Lakes College – T Level in Business (Team Leadership and Management)

Carlisle College – Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Business

Furness College – T Level in Management and Administration

Higher education courses:

Kendal College

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Project Management (top up)

Edge Hill University – BSc (Hons) Business & Economics

Lancaster University – MSc Project Management

UCLan – BSc (Hons) Construction Project Manager

Apprenticeships:

Lakes College – Level 3 Business Administrator

Carlisle College – Level 3 Business Administrator

Furness College – Level 3 Business Administration

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

UCLan – BA (Hons) Business Management Degree Apprenticeship

Scheduler

Project schedulers work closely with project planners and managers – they plan and manage schedules for projects, coordinate tasks, and develop risk registers. This type of job role is often found within the engineering and construction industries, where highly complex projects need to be kept on track. You’ll need excellent attention to detail, good communication skills, and be willing to learn specialised software, such as Primavera P6.

Average salary: £20,000 – £38,000

Typical working hours per week: 37.5 – 40

Qualifications needed: job/sector dependent, but a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C

Further education courses:

Lakes College – T Level in Business (Team Leadership and Management)

Carlisle College – Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Business

Furness College – T Level in Management and Administration

Higher education courses:

Kendal College

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Project Management (top up)

Edge Hill University – BSc (Hons) Business & Economics

Lancaster University – MSc Project Management

UCLan – BSc (Hons) Construction Project Manager

Apprenticeships:

Lakes College – Level 3 Business Administrator

Carlisle College – Level 3 Business Administrator

Furness College – Level 3 Business Administration

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

UCLan – BA (Hons) Business Management Degree Apprenticeship

Project planner

Project planners work closely alongside project managers to make sure specific projects are delivered. They estimate costs, maintain schedules, provide project updates and generally make sure there is enough resource to keep the project on track. Good project planners have great organisational skills, excellent communication skills and persistence and determination to get the job done.

Average salary: £20,000 – £40,000

Typical working hours per week: 35 – 40

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree/foundation degree in Project Management, Business Management or similar. APM or PRINCE2 qualification would also be beneficial

Further education courses:

Lakes College – T Level in Business (Team Leadership and Management)

Carlisle College – Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Business

Furness College – T Level in Management and Administration

Higher education courses:

Kendal College

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Project Management (top up)

Edge Hill University – BSc (Hons) Business & Economics

Lancaster University – MSc Project Management

UCLan – BSc (Hons) Construction Project Manager

Apprenticeships:

Lakes College – Level 3 Business Administrator

Carlisle College – Level 3 Business Administrator

Furness College – Level 3 Business Administration

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

UCLan – BA (Hons) Business Management Degree Apprenticeship

Quality engineer

Quality engineers are responsible for ensuring that the overall quality of a product is safe, reliable and meets customer expectations. They define the quality standards and testing methods that the products must meet, monitor the quality control cycle, report incidents and prepare reports and recommendations for improvements. You’ll need excellent analytical skills, be able to organise your time effectively and be able to work well with the rest of the quality team.

Average salary: £23,000 – £35,000 (depending on sector)

Typical working hours per week: 35 – 40

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree in Engineering (some companies require specific Engineering degrees)

Further education courses:

Lakes College

Kendal College

Carlisle College – Level 3 BTEC Foundation Diploma in Engineering

Furness College – T Level Engineering & Manufacturing

Higher education courses:

University of Cumbria – BEng (Hons) Advanced Manufacturing (with year in industry)

UCLan – BEng (Hons) Robotics Engineering

Lancaster University – BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering

Edge Hill University – MEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering

Apprenticeships:

Lakes College

Kendal College

Carlisle College

Level 3 Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician

Furness College

STEM

Careers within STEM are wide-ranging – even within engineering and science, there’s a huge range of niche roles available. Whether you’re interested in food technology, or motorsport, or space, or anything in-between, there’s bound to be a STEM-related job for you. Take a look below at some of our suggestions, but remember, there’s thousands of other STEM careers available!

AI ethics specialist

AI ethics specialists are specialised data scientists working to ensure responsible usage of this new technology. To work in such an industry, you’ll need to be fluent in software packages like Python and R. You’ll also need to use logic and reason to solve any problems that appear. Some experience with psychology would be ideal given that AI is meant to mimic how humans think. Researching and developing your own AI ethics guidelines as well as investigating compliance with guidelines will be a crucial task.

Average salary: £28,000 – £61,000

Typical working hours per week: 35 – 40

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree in Computer Science or Data Science, plus a master’s degree in AI ethics would be beneficial

Further education courses:

Level 2 Diploma in Digital and IT Skills – Lakes College

T Level Digital (Support Services) – Lakes College

Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Computer Science – Carlisle College

Level 2 Technical Diploma in Digital Technology (Networking and Cyber Security) – Carlisle College

Higher education courses:

BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence – Edge Hill

BSc (Hons) Computer Science – University of Cumbria

BSc (Hons) Computer Science – University of Central Lancashire

BSc (Hons) Cyber Security – Lancaster University

Apprenticeships:

Data Scientist – AstraZeneca

Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship – Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Cosmetic scientist

As a cosmetic scientist, you’ll be responsible for creating the beauty products of tomorrow. Apply your chemistry knowledge and creativity to innovate new products and solve any problems that crop up along the way. You’ll equally need to be able to communicate findings and problems with others, working as a team to deliver on deadlines and projects. Throughout the process, you must ensure compliance with legislation, such as keeping the workplace organised to prevent any mistakes or accidents.

Average salary: £20,000 – £50,000

Typical working hours per week: 37-40 (plus some weekend working if in a lab)

Qualifications needed: HND or foundation degree in science

Further education courses:

Level 3 Extended Qualification in Science (Laboratory Sciences with Placement) – Carlisle College

T Level Science – Lakes College

T Level Science – Kendal College

Access to HE: Sciences – Kendal College

Higher education courses:

SCS Diploma in Cosmetic Science – Society of Cosmetic Scientists

BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science – University of Sunderland

BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Cosmetic Science – University of Reading

BSc (Hons) Chemistry – University of Central Lancashire

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry – Lancaster University

BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering – Lancaster University

Apprenticeships:

Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Scientist – Pfizer

Launch mission safety analyst

As a Launch Mission Safety Analyst, you’ll be doing the maths to ensure manoeuvres like spacecraft re-entry go off without a hitch. You’ll use your knowledge of astrodynamics and engineering to analyse each new situation and calculate appropriate vehicle trajectories. You’ll also need to be fluent in software packages like Python to create simulations that predict what might happen in certain scenarios. Mission success ultimately depends on working as part of a wider team, so being able to communicate results concisely and clearly to different audiences will be crucial.

Average salary: £28,000 – £46,000

Typical working hours per week: 37.5 – 40 (but may vary according to projects)

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a STEM-related degree, or an accredited apprenticeship within the space industry

Further education courses:

Level 2 Engineering Technology – Kendal College

T Level Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control – Kendal College

Access to HE: Sciences – Kendal College

T Level Science – Lakes College

Higher education courses:

BEng (Hons) Astronautics and Space Engineering – University of Surrey

MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics with Space Science – University of Hertfordshire

BSc Physics with Space Science – University of Leicester

MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics – Lancaster University

MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Space Technology) – Kingston University

BSc (Hons) Physics with Planetary and Space Physics – University of Aberystwyth

Apprenticeships:

Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprenticeship – Airbus

Space Systems Engineer (level 6)

Uniformed Services

Working in the uniformed services means working to keep the public safe. These jobs are often physically demanding, and may require long or unsociable work hours, but the hard work and effort is definitely worth it. These jobs go beyond what you might typically think of as ‘uniformed’ jobs (e.g. police, nursing or the armed forces) – take a look at a few of our suggested jobs below, but again, remember to do your own research as well!

Crew manager

A crew manager oversees the firefighting crew on a day-to-day basis. They normally deputise for the watch manager, take command of small-scale incidents, and attend incidents as the officer in charge of an appliance (fire engine). You’ll need to have excellent leadership skills, be good at working with and motivating a team, and be flexible – no two days will be the same.

Average salary: £27,000 – £40,000

Typical working hours per week: 42 (working on rota which may include evenings, weekends and bank holidays)

Qualifications needed: 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course. Extensive experience as a firefighter. An IFE qualification would also be beneficial

Further education courses:

Lakes College

Furness College

Carlisle College

Higher education courses:

UCLan

CNC police constable

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) is an armed police service dedicated to the nuclear industry. Becoming a CNC police constable is about so much more than traditional policing – you’ll be part of a team which provides a 24/7-armed response; from patrolling and protecting nuclear sites, facilities and materials, to patrolling the local community and working with local Home Office Police Forces. You’ll need to be a strong communicator, have great problem-solving skills and be able to develop good relationships with stakeholders and the local community.

Average salary: £29,000 – £46,000

Typical working hours per week: 40 (may depend on shift patterns)

Qualifications needed: Must pass a 19-week intensive training course. A level 3 course in Policing or Public Services would be beneficial

Further education courses:

Lakes College

Furness College

Carlisle College

Higher education courses:

Edge Hill University – BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

UCLan

Apprenticeships:

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

UCLan – BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Practice Degree Apprenticeship

Specialist paramedic

Once you’ve qualified as a paramedic, you can begin your journey towards becoming a specialist paramedic – this could involve working in critical care, mental health, urgent care or another area you’re interested in. You’ll need to be able to keep calm in stressful situations, work quickly and accurately, and be resilient in the face of all kinds of different emotions and scenarios.

Average salary: £25,000 – £49,000

Typical working hours per week: 37.5 – 40 (may depend on shift patterns)

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent to complete a degree in Paramedic Science (to become a fully qualified HCPC registered paramedic)

Further education courses:

Lakes College

Higher education courses:

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Edge Hill University

UCLan

BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Apprenticeships:

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Degree Apprenticeship

Underwater search unit police diver

This specialised police officer role involves diving into bodies of water to search and recover evidence. You’ll use approved forensic practices to retrieve evidence, undertake underwater defensive search operations for major events, and assist in establishing facts to support investigations. You’ll need strong team working skills, good communication skills and be able to determine the right course of action in tricky situations.

Average salary: £19,000 – £41,000

Typical working hours per week: 37 – 40 (may depend on shift patterns)

Qualifications needed: 3 A levels or equivalent for a degree, or a level 3 qualification in Policing or Public Services. You will then need to become a Licensed Search Officer before then passing a HSE Approved Basic Air Diver Course

Further education courses:

Lakes College

Furness College

Carlisle College

Higher education courses:

Edge Hill University – BSc (Hons) Professional Policing

UCLan

Apprenticeships:

University of Cumbria – BSc (Hons) Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

UCLan – BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Practice Degree Apprenticeship