Four jobs you won’t believe exist

CHOCOLATE taster, private island caretaker and professional cuddler – it’s hard to believe we live in a world where these roles actually exist. 

William Angliss

CHOCOLATE taster, private island caretaker and professional cuddler – it’s hard to believe we live in a world where these roles actually exist.

While you’re busy schlepping it out in your 9-5 role, there are some people getting paid to taste dog food, test furniture, name nail polish or tag shows on Netflix (and they’re getting paid big bucks to do so).

If your current role is no longer ticking the boxes or you’re feeling unsure as to what to study after school, perhaps it’s time to get inspired by one of these four roles.  

THE CHOCOLATE TECHNICIAN

Meet Nicholas, the Nestle Chocolate Technician (and luckiest guy in the world). Each day, Nicholas’ job is to develop concepts for new chocolate products for brands such as KITKAT. Using the latest food trends researched to indicate what the most popular flavours are, he then works with suppliers to bring these concepts to life.

“Once a product is approved, I assist our product technologists who industrialise the project,” says Nick. “The first flavour I have worked on is set to be available soon, so be on the lookout for a new flavour for KITKAT!”

While we all dream of the day someone pays us to eat chocolate, Nick found out about his current role at an industry convention while studying at William Angliss Institute. “I won an award for the chocolate and confectionery class I took during my Food Science and Technology course,” Nick adds. “During this convention, my teacher introduced me to my current boss. He informed me of a vacant position in the development team, which I applied for. Working for a big company such as Nestle sounded like a great opportunity to see how food manufacturing was done on the largest scale in the world.”

And while the job might sound a little out of reach, Nick believes there are many different paths a food technologist can take. “The course was able to help me develop an understanding of all these areas, and help direct me to what I wanted to peruse. After I was finished, I felt I had the knowledge and confidence to be able to work in the industry.”

Nick’s advice: “Find something you’re passionate about, research jobs that can utilise this passion and be willing to take a risk and work hard to get there.”

THE PRIVATE ISLAND CARETAKER

Earlier this year, the Great Barrier Reef advertised for a full-time caretaker to oversee the Low Isles, off Port Douglas in North Queensland. Described as a “dream job”, key call-outs of the guaranteed, two-year contract included “taking care of the 50,000 visitors who head to the Great Barrier Reef each year, the occasional snorkel and conducting regular surveys of pied-imperial pigeons, while liaising with tour operators and their clients.”

While this seems like a “once in a lifetime opportunity”, this isn’t the first time a role such as this has been advertised. In 2009, a Queensland campaign gave job seekers to chance to live six months, rent-free on Hamilton Island in exchange for a blog, photo diary and $150k salary. The lucky winner, Ben Southall, edged out 34,000 applicants to become caretaker of the island, soon after bagging a job exploring Down Under for the Australian New Zealand tourist boards. Now, he and wife, Sophee, are paid to travel across the globe as part of their travel blog, The Best Life In The World. Not far from the truth, right?

THE FOOD TOUR GUIDE

From tasting new dishes in swish restaurants, buying locally-sourced produce at the organic market or cosily cooking with your partner each night, it’s safe to say that food plays a massive part of our lives. Melbourne-born Irene, however, takes it one step further, immersing herself in the world of fresh produce and fine foods as a tour guide at Queen Victoria Market.

“We have many visitors both international and interstate, and many locals visiting the Queen Victoria Market,” Irene says. “It is such an experience to be able to talk about the food culture, the history of the market and of course, sample the many tastings on offer.”

For Irene, studying as a mature age student at William Angliss Institute helped her achieve new skills, be confident and enjoy a new and exciting career path. “I felt like I gained a lot from all areas of Tour Guiding, whether it be in the classroom or out on field trips. Assignments, teamwork and a need for perfection was important in gaining the skills needed to be a good Tour Guide.

“Creating itineraries for field trips and learning the importance of detail was challenging, but helped me use those skills in my everyday tours.”

THE PROFESSIONAL MERMAID

While you might not naturally believe in mermaids, Perth-based Mermaid Kat might change your mind. One of Australia’s only professional mermaids, Mermaid Kat trains fellow mermaids by day, opening the world’s first mermaid school – the Mermaid Kat Academy – in 2012.

Along with travelling the world as an ambassador of the ocean, Mermaid Kat swims with dolphins and sharks, in a bid to create awareness of the ocean environment. When she’s not wearing her mermaid tails, Mermaid Kat (Katrin Gray) works as an underwater model and stuntwoman.

Originally published as Four jobs you won’t believe exist