What do you want to be when you grow up? Chances are if you
ask that question in any third grade class, your answers
will include at least one fireman, one policeman, one cowboy
and an assortment of other jobs that are glamorized on
television and books.

Every occupation has niches. Some of those are familiar to
most people the difference between a corporate attorney
and a criminal defense lawyer is pretty clear. But in some
industries, the niches are so specialized that a person
skilled in one area of it would be as unqualified for jobs
in another as a tenth grade dropout. A degree in chemistry,
for example, is only the first step towards a job as a
flavorist a person who develops chemical flavor enhancers
and flavors for the food industry.

A walk through six years of columns yields an unusual mix of
odd and familiar jobs that are fun to read about and
interesting to contemplate. One wonders, for instance, how
someone decides to become a perfusionist, or indeed, what
exactly a perfusionist does. Some of the highlights of six
collected years include the following:

The jobs of flavorist and research chef are two jobs that
fit that definition. Each fits under a broad category -a
flavorist is a chemist by trade and a chef is obviously a
chef. But each has a specific expertise within their field
that makes their skills highly sought.

Greeting Card Writer Does sitting around a studio with a
bunch of other writers, tossing humorous verse back and
forth and brainstorming silly ideas sound like a fun way to
make a living? In 1999, there were about 210 people employed
by greeting card companies as salaried workers. The average
wage they earned was about $40,000. Besides those that work
full time for greeting card companies, there are hundreds of
freelance writers who sell their work to greeting card
companies on a regular basis. A talented greeting card
writer can earn $60 to $150 per greeting card verse.

Jobs for writers in most niches are at a premium, but the
field for good freelance writers who can consistently
deliver well-written, keyword optimized articles is still
wide open. Earnings are greatly dependent on reputation,
experience and your own marketing ability. The only
education requirements is an ability to write.

How would you like a job where you never know from one hour
to the next what you might be called upon to do? As a
personal concierge, you may find yourself making hotel and
plane reservations, picking out a birthday gift for a wife,
or trying to book an elephant for a child's birthday party.
It's not a new field, but it is a growing one.

Not all clowns are employed by circuses. There are many who
freelance, working for flower and message delivery services
and hospitals where they entertain children. They may do
corporate events, children's birthday parties or carnivals
and fairs. Their annual income is dependent on how well they
can market themselves, who they work for, and whether or not
they are employed full time.

And then there's the historic interpreter. If you live near
to a historical restoration like Old Sturbridge Village in
Massachusetts or Colonial Williamsburg, it's one of those
unusual jobs that can be a lot of fun. You'll be paid to
dress up in period costume and pretend to be a historic
character from the time of the restoration. While you're on
duty, you'll be expected to be totally authentic, from the
language you use to the things you eat and drink. You'll
answer questions from visitors as if you were your
character.

The work is usually seasonal, though there are exceptions.
There are about 30 schools in the United States that offer
courses and degree programs in historic interpretation. As a
professional interpreter, you can expect to earn about
$18,000 to $35,000 a year. As one could say about all the
jobs listed - it's not the kind of thing you do for the
money.

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