Ditch the Cubicle: 5 Unconventional Career Options for 9-to-5-Free Living

Adhering to the 9-to-5 day job standard is the inevitable doom for many working adults. Despite providing feelings of accomplishment and consistency, leading experts in the healthcare sector explain that 9-to-5 jobs can cause an onslaught of adverse effects on your body, in addition to an array of possible mental health issues.

Bad eyesight, back issues, heart disease, and even death have all been linked to the sedentary lifestyle 9-to-5 jobs promote.

From dashing to the nearest drive-thru on a 30-minute lunch break to remaining desk-chair-bound for hours on end, nine-to-five living can spell disaster for working professionals of all ages. The solution? Breaking free from your corporate bubble and venturing out in search of bigger and better things.

Many find having a job that allows them to travel and leave their cubicles’ confines makes the eight-hour workday much more bearable. In addition to getting to see new places, meet new people, and gain new experiences, working outside of a “regular” office takes the monotony out of work and can breathe new life into your career. Want it for yourself? Check out the five different career options that can (quite literally) take you places.

Medical traveling

The healthcare sector’s need for medical professionals is always present and is only projected to grow as the world’s population ages. Fusion Medical Staffing can help connect you to many careers in the medical traveling field regardless of where you’re based now.

You’ll be able to work in hospitals and medical centers where the need is great, and those around you immensely value your contribution. Additionally, traveling medical workers can capitalize on their generous benefits packages and sometimes make more money than their permanently-based counterparts.

Airline pilots

If you possess the desire and means to put yourself through aviation school, becoming an airline pilot could be the perfect career for you, especially if you don’t want to end up chained to a desk for the foreseeable future.

As a pilot, you would be able to travel all across the country and perhaps even the world. After hopping from major city to major city, you’ll be able to return to your home-base and unwind during your time off. Though becoming a pilot takes a lot of work before you can begin your career, the payoff is worth it for those who have a desire to indulge in foreign cultures and witness historical landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, up close and personal.

Freelance work

One of the best ways to protest the 9-to-5 norm is to work as a freelance worker, also known as an independent contractor. There are countless freelance opportunities available in the world that are suited to many different skill sets. You just have to find the right fit.

Though you might still feel attached to your laptop for brief moments of your unconventional workday, freelancing allows you to complete day-to-day tasks from anywhere in the world. Examples of freelance jobs include computer programming, writing, editing, photography. You name it.

Firefighting

Choosing a career in firefighting is an excellent choice for those who want to serve their communities without sacrificing their whole week in the name of a traditional work schedule. Most firefighters work long shifts at a time, followed by long breaks from work.

Some firefighters also couple their firefighting capabilities with EMT training courses to expand the job opportunities available within reach. Firefighting is physically demanding and requires a great deal of bravery, but it also provides unparalleled benefits, a flexible schedule, and a sense of personal fulfillment.

Obviously, it is important to look at the risks when it comes to this particular career. It can be dangerous, and the health risks are always there, as with any frontline job. There have been lawsuits that deal with those who have become ill due to firefighting. You can see the AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts per person that have come about due to health-issues stemming from this job before you decide on this path.

Instructor

Though this term may seem somewhat broad, many instructors and teachers can work remotely or from exotic locations worldwide. For example, should you choose to try your hand at becoming a certified scuba instructor, you could spend your days teaching folks to scuba dive in any area with an oceanfront within walking distance.

Another example of a potential instructor opportunity is English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors. Native English speakers are often hired as ESL teachers for schools and companies all over the world. More often than not, they can do their work remotely outside of a traditional classroom.

Final word

Don’t shackle yourself to all-too-restrictive desk jobs. Catapult out of your comfort zone by exploring the world of unconventional career options available to professionals with your credentials.