Most people are familiar with careers like teachers, doctors, or accountants. Yet around the world, there are people who do jobs that sound completely made up. Some of these unusual careers exist because companies need specialized skills, while others were created to solve surprising problems. Strange as they are, these jobs are very real, and someone gets paid to do every one of them. Here are eight jobs you probably won’t believe actually exist.
Professional Mermaid
Professional mermaids perform at aquariums, resorts, birthday parties, and promotional events while wearing realistic (and oftentimes beautiful) silicone fish tails. Many go through extensive swimming and diving training because the tails make movement difficult and obviously keep them from using their legs independently. Some performers can stay underwater for several minutes while interacting with audiences through aquarium glass. This role is part acting, part athletics, and part underwater art.
Golf Ball Diver
On golf courses everywhere, millions of golf balls end up at the bottom of ponds every year. This fact has led to a surprisingly profitable career or side gig. Professional golf ball divers retrieve lost balls using scuba gear, then clean and resell the balls to retailers. The work is not as easy or pleasant as it sounds. It can involve murky or cold water, poor visibility, snapping turtles, snakes, and even alligators in some Southeastern states. The best, most experienced divers can find thousands of balls in a single day.
Odor Judge
Some companies actually hire people to smell. These so-called odor judges sniff everything from deodorants and laundry detergents to shoes, refrigerators, and even breath fresheners. They assess how well products function, how effectively the products eliminate bad smells, and whether new scents are appealing. It may be weird, but companies rely on noses during product development.
Snake Milker
Snake milkers extract venom from snakes. The reason behind this is important; for use in medical research and antivenom production. Not just anyone can do this job well and safely. The process requires extensive training, steady hands, and knowledge of snakes. It also demands strict safety procedures because just one mistake can be dangerous. The venom is studied and used to make lifesaving antivenom treatments. It has also helped with researching medications for heart disease and blood pressure. It’s one of the oddest and most dangerous specialized jobs in the world.
Panda Nanny
Wildlife conservation centers sometimes hire caretakers to help raise young giant pandas. The job includes a host of activities, like making food, cleaning habitats, monitoring health, recording behavior, and sometimes simply spending time with cubs for healthy development. Although many assume this position is nonstop cuddling, it’s actually demanding work. Caring for an animal like this requires long hours and plenty of physical labor. But no other job has cuter coworkers.
Fortune Cookie Writer
Someone has to write the fortunes hidden inside fortune cookies. These writers come up with thousands of short sayings, predictions, jokes, and inspirational messages. Most of them must be somewhat poetic, while remaining positive, short, and easy to understand. Many also have to avoid phrases that could be offensive, confusing, or too specific for the masses. It’s maybe the world’s weirdest writing gig.
Professional Sleeper
Researchers and mattress manufacturers sometimes pay people to sleep. Participants might test mattresses and self-report on their sleep quality. Others take part in medical studies, where researchers examine everything from insomnia to the effects of certain substances. The work is not just a series of naps; employees have to follow rigid protocols. The work involves exact schedules, monitoring equipment, and detailed documentation.
Pet Food Taste Tester
Before pet foods hit store shelves, someone has to test their texture, scent, and consistency. Unfortunately, dogs cannot fill this position, as they are poor self-reporters. This is where professional pet food tasters come in. Although they don’t usually swallow the food, they do sample them. The goal is to ensure a certain level of quality and catch problems that machines might miss. Though this might sound like a Craigslist gig, the job is way more technical than most people realize. Many of these testers have backgrounds in food science or quality control. It’s certainly not a career most people would brag about, but it’s necessary, nonetheless.