If you’re a mom seeking a new career amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, you aren’t alone. Women shouldered a disproportionate share of the job-loss burden, which impacted many careers. Since the market contains a glut of preschool teachers and health care aides, why not look into some more unconventional jobs for moms as you start your search?
1. Forest Ranger
The natural world needs safeguarding from foolish human actions, and who better to protect our planetary mother than other moms? If you have outdoor resource management experience, you could land this job with no more than an associate’s degree, although the forest service does prefer a bachelor’s.
Many rangers live in RVs in the parks where they work. Therefore, this job is ideal for moms wanting to raise free-range kids without worrying about them darting into traffic.
2. Deep-Sea Fisher
If you can’t get enough documentaries about the harrowing lives of deep-sea fishers, maybe you want to try your hand. You don’t have to brave icy and tempestuous Alaskan waters. A 24-month internship and sufficient hours can get you lobster fishing off the rugged Maine coast.
You’ll need an understanding partner or nanny when you spend several days in a row at sea. However, you’ll also get considerable shore-leave time to spend with the family.
3. Animal Control Tech
Maybe you adore working with animals, but the idea of becoming a veterinarian doesn’t appeal to you. Have you considered the life of an animal control tech? A typical day on the job might entail rescuing a leopard trapped in a well, or a shark washed up on the beach. Your kids won’t be bored after asking how was your day when you regale them with tales.
This position’s requirements vary by jurisdiction. You can get by with a high school diploma in some areas, but you’ll need a certificate in others. Contact your local city offices for details.
4. Police Officer
Your mind might not turn to a law and order career but all mothers have a natural protective instinct when it comes to safeguarding their kids. Why not extend that love to the community by training to become a police officer? The training time varies but usually takes anywhere from 13 to 19 weeks. Who knows? In time, you could become the next Olivia Benson, a la TV’s long-running series Law and Order, SVU.
5. Soldier
Serving in the nation’s military offers multiple benefits, including lifelong health care and access to Veteran’s Administration for no-money-down home purchases. You have to hurry each branch sets strict age limits for recruits. The Navy and Marines cap enlistment at 34 and 28, respectively, so head to your local recruiter today if you think this career field might entice you.
6. HVAC Tech
Women often fall behind economically because they tend to go for careers that entail significant higher educational costs but pay little. Take education, for example.
However, you can make an excellent hourly rate in many trades, and it isn’t as tough to get the knack as you think. As an HVAC technician, you help homeowners keep their property comfortably warm or cool, and you might not have to lift anything heavier than a toolbox on most days.
7. Electrician
Many women have excellent manual dexterity. Why not put those fine motor skills to work in a trade as an electrician?
Because this field is so specialized, it does take about four years to reach journeyman status and open up shop. However, you’ll earn as you learn as an apprentice. Once you put in the time, you can expect to make around $30 an hour plenty to raise your family.
8. Mechanic
If you can’t think of anything worse than sitting on the side of the road, waiting on Triple-A and wondering if every seemingly well-intentioned passerby means you and your kids harm, why not learn some DIY car tricks? Becoming a mechanic offers you considerable freedom to find high-paying work and take long road trips with confidence.
Becoming a mechanic parallels the process for earning your electrician’s journeyman stripes, but it’s slightly less formal. You will need to attend a trade school for the basics, then locate a shop that provides employer training. As you advance in your career, you can add certifications that up your earning power.
9. Long-Haul Trucker
Do you love the freedom of the open road? If your kids fell in love with online learning during the pandemic, maybe becoming a long-haul trucker is for you.
You’ll need to make an initial capital expenditure to get a rig big enough to fit your tiny crew. You’ll also want to invest in a quality Wi-Fi extender for your little one’s online learning convenience. They don’t help much in transit, but they can somewhat make up for lower bandwidth in camping areas.
10. CEO
The world needs more mom CEOs. After all, the best way to increase diversity at the top is to populate corner offices with people who know the struggle.
Employees in women-led companies are more positive regarding their company’s mission and outperform their male-led counterparts. Plus, they’re more likely to include perks like flextime as standard they know what it’s like to juggle a career and family.
Are You Up for One of These Unconventional Jobs for Moms
If you are one of many female job seekers after the recent pandemic, why not consider one of these unconventional jobs for moms? You’ll have less competition, and you might just find your career calling.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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