Edition 59 - Spooky Jobs

We're back with another edition of Pondering Careers, and this week just happens to fall on Halloween, so we're doing something a little bit spooky and talking about all the jobs you can do if you want Halloween to last all year long.

If you're one of those people who doesn't like Halloween, then this edition probably isn't for you (sorry), but as someone with kids and a penchant for dressing up I'm right into it and as I get to write the Pondering Careers Rules, this is what we're doing.

My own memories of Halloween start back when I was very little and we lived in England. Each Halloween we'd stick tiny stars onto the cardboard witches hats we'd made, and visit our cousins. Sometimes Halloween would get lumped in with Bonfire night, even though they're 5 days apart, and we'd finish the night with fireworks and a bonfire.

The (non-American) history of Halloween

Halloween’s origins trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a tradition dating to around 2,000 years ago in the place where I was born.

The festival marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter, and we believed the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to Earth. People wore costumes and lit bonfires to scare off the ghosts, and these traditions merged with Roman festivals as Britain was invaded.

Recently arrived or converted Christians replaced the pagan Samhain with All Saint's Day on November 1, which was preceded by All Hallow's Eve on October 31, and which eventually became known as Halloween and kept many of the original pagan traditions.

What has this got to do with Career Development?

On the surface, not a lot.

But our stories help us define who we are, and for some people, events like Halloween can shift from a holiday into a vocation, which is what we're going to talk about this week.

These are jobs that you definitely won't find in that 'Top 10' list, watch the video for a quick overview:

These are all actual jobs, that people do right now to earn their income, and the more we talk about jobs that are a little less ordinary, the easier it is for young people to change their ideas about what might be possible.

Don't believe me?

According to Jobs and Skills Australia there are 3,000 Funeral Directors working in Australia right now, and many of these people are approaching retirement age, yet the industry is growing and generates around $2.2B each year for the industry in Australia alone.

Death Doulas are also in demand, and being recruited by the NHS in the UK - like this job for a hospice:

How many 15 year olds have ever thought about being a Soul Midwife!

Talking about these kinds of jobs isn't going to suddenly create a glut of Haunted House Operators, but it can start a different conversation.

When we legitimise non-traditional jobs, we show that all forms of work are valid options.

I'm not suggesting we trivialise the workforce - quite the opposite! I've had many conversations with young people where they expressed concern about wanting a 'real' job, but what they really meant was that they wanted a job that others would perceive as serious. Any job that allows us to earn an income that meets our lifestyle requirements is a 'real' job, and just as valid and reasonable as any stock-standard job.

When we talk about non-traditional jobs in a serious way we challenge assumptions about which jobs are 'real' and which aren't, and make more things possible.

So, here's my wrap up of some pretty real jobs that just happen to also be a little bit spooky:

Funeral Director

A Funeral Director, sometimes called an Undertaker or Mortician, provides an essential service during a time of grief, guiding families through the process of honouring their loved ones.

They manage everything from arranging and overseeing the funeral service to handling the logistics involved, such as selecting a casket, coordinating with cemeteries or crematoriums, and even handling post-cremation tasks like delivering ashes.

Funeral Directors often help families personalise services, making decisions around flowers, music, and rituals that reflect the personality and wishes of the deceased. There’s no formal qualification pathway, though extensive experience with client services, empathy, and composure in high-stress situations are essential.

Industry Forecast: The funeral services industry is anticipated to remain steady, with more personalised, eco-friendly services growing in popularity.

Key Skills: Empathy, organisation, customer service, and crisis management are essential for working closely with grieving families.

Career Cluster: This role is part of the Guardian Cluster, as Funeral Directors support families by providing dignified and respectful handling of deceased loved ones.

Ghost Tour Guide

Ghost Tour Guides bring the past to life, leading visitors through eerie, historically rich locations that are often shrouded in ghost stories and paranormal folklore.

This video literally gave me the heebie jeebies - but it's not a bad overview of what it's like to work as a Ghost Tour Guide:

This role involves more than just storytelling – it requires an understanding of the history and culture of each site, allowing the guide to weave a captivating narrative filled with suspense and intrigue. Ghost Tour Guides keep audiences entertained and intrigued as they walk through haunted places, from ancient cemeteries to abandoned buildings.

While there are no formal qualifications, strong public speaking skills, historical knowledge, and a knack for creating suspenseful atmospheres make a difference in this unique role.

Industry Forecast: The tourism sector, including niche areas like ghost tours, is expected to grow post-pandemic, especially with the resurgence of interest in historical and experiential tourism.

Key Skills: Storytelling, public speaking, historical knowledge, and the ability to engage and entertain diverse audiences.

Career Cluster: This role aligns with the Linker Cluster, as Ghost Tour Guides connect people with history and local culture through engaging narratives.

Forensic Pathologist

Forensic Pathologists are experts in understanding the mysteries behind a person’s death, tasked with examining bodies to uncover the cause and manner of death, often in unexpected or suspicious circumstances.

The role requires conducting detailed autopsies, collecting tissue samples, analysing toxicology reports, and piecing together evidence that can illuminate the final moments of life. Forensic Pathologists often work closely with law enforcement and may even appear as expert witnesses in court to explain their findings.

Read more here .

This role requires a medical degree followed by specialised training in forensic pathology, and it combines medical expertise with a dedication to justice.

Industry Forecast: Demand for forensic pathologists is expected to grow steadily as both public health and justice systems increasingly rely on forensic science to investigate unexpected deaths.

Key Skills: Analytical thinking, attention to detail, emotional resilience, and expertise in medical sciences.

Career Cluster: This role falls under the Guardian Cluster, focused on protecting society by uncovering critical information about causes of death.

SFX Makeup Artist

Special Effects (SFX) Makeup Artists use a unique blend of artistry and technical skill to transform actors into creatures, monsters, or even injured characters.

They create lifelike wounds, scars, age transformations, and fantasy creatures, helping bring the worlds of horror, science fiction, and fantasy to life. Working on movie sets, TV shows, and in theatres, SFX Makeup Artists use prosthetics, latex, paint, and other materials to create transformations that can evoke emotions and immerse audiences in the story.

Industry Forecast: As the film, television, and gaming industries continue to grow, the demand for skilled SFX Makeup Artists is also on the rise, especially for horror and fantasy genres.

Key Skills: Creativity, artistic precision, adaptability, and knowledge of materials like prosthetics and latex.

Career Cluster: This role is in the Innovator Cluster, dedicated to creating imaginative and immersive visual experiences.

Training/Qualification Pathway: Many SFX Makeup Artists pursue training in makeup artistry or special effects through cosmetology programs, fine arts degrees, or apprenticeships in production settings.

Death Doula

Death Doulas, sometimes referred to as Death Midwives, support individuals and families through the emotional and spiritual journey of dying. They provide compassionate presence, facilitate conversations around end-of-life wishes, and offer practical guidance for both the person facing death and their loved ones.

Rather than physical care, Death Doulas focus on alleviating fear, preparing for the transition, and creating meaningful memories during a sensitive time. Many Death Doulas come from health or social work backgrounds, but there’s no formal qualification pathway. Instead, this role draws on empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of life’s final stages.

There's a great The Conversation Australia + NZ article here about Death Doulas if you want to learn more.

Industry Forecast: As the population ages and attitudes toward death care evolve, demand for Death Doulas is expected to grow, with more people seeking personalised end-of-life care.

Key Skills: Compassion, active listening, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of death and bereavement.

Career Cluster: This role belongs to the Guardian Cluster, focusing on providing care and comfort at the end of life.

Training/Qualification Pathway: Although there are no formal qualification requirements, many Death Doulas attend workshops or certification programs focused on palliative care, psychology, or hospice care.

Haunted House Operator

Haunted House Operators bring thrill and fear to life by designing and running immersive haunted house experiences that play with visitors' emotions and senses.

Behind the scenes, there’s meticulous planning and coordination involved, from setting up lighting and sound effects to programming animatronics and creating lifelike props. Haunted House Operators also manage the logistics of safety, crowd control, and seamless storytelling to ensure visitors get a spine-tingling experience that feels authentic and safe.

With a mix of creativity, project management, and technical know-how, this role is ideal for anyone who enjoys scaring (and entertaining) people.

Industry Forecast: The immersive entertainment industry, including haunted attractions, is anticipated to grow as interest in interactive experiences becomes a staple in event tourism.

Key Skills: Creativity, project management, technical skills in lighting and sound, and safety compliance are crucial.

Career Cluster: This role fits within the Coordinator Cluster, as operators plan, organise, and execute complex, immersive events.

Spiritual Medium

Spiritual Mediums are people who believe they can communicate with spirits, acting as a bridge between the living and the dead.

Mediums often work with families who are grieving, offering messages and insights from loved ones who have passed, providing comfort, reassurance, and, sometimes, closure. Occasionally, mediums are even approached by investigators looking for help with unsolved mysteries.

This role requires an openness to the unseen, intuition, and sensitivity to emotions, as well as excellent interpersonal skills to navigate the personal and often vulnerable space of grief.

Industry Forecast: Interest in spiritual services, including mediumship, has been increasing as people seek more personalised spiritual support, a trend that is expected to continue.

Key Skills: Intuition, interpersonal communication, emotional sensitivity, and strong ethical boundaries.

Career Cluster: This role is part of the Informer Cluster, helping others find understanding and closure by sharing their spiritual insights.

Training/Qualification Pathway: Spiritual Mediums often undergo mentorship or self-guided practice, sometimes supplemented by courses in psychology or counselling.

Talking about jobs doesn't always have to be serious

Sometimes the best conversations actually happen when we stop trying to be serious, and start playing with what could be possible.

But to do this we have to be super aware of our underlying bias.

I've noticed that even as I'm trying to write this article - the entire point of which is to talk about non-traditional jobs - I actually fell into the very same bias I'm trying to overcome.

If you look back, you'll see that I listed the more 'traditional' jobs FIRST - I even went back and moved Ghost Tour Guide up the list after I'd finished writing, but there's still a definite bias.

It's hard!

Overcoming our inherent bias is an never-ending battle. Think back to when you first saw this week's article; what was your first perception? That this would be a serious article, or that it would be a light-hearted edition to celebrate a fun holiday?

Recognising this bias is the very first step, but it's an important one to take if we want to make more things possible for the next generation.

See you next time.