Careers - Piano players and chimney sweepers.

Peculiar careers

It is time to discuss careers, not for a particular reason. But for the amusement, of how many are there, generated over the years by capitalism and industry? If you glanced at LinkedIn career opportunities, there are just names, which I have never heard of. Following is a pragmatic list. But the reality is it is not limited to legitimate sounding ones like these. You can actually become a professional sleeper, a snake Milker, or a golf ball diver if you'd chose to become just that. It is a blessing that we are not confined ourselves to become chimney sweepers like it happened in the times of William Blake.

Bullet Train Operator

1. Actuary

Analyzes risk using math and statistics—commonly in insurance and finance. The work is highly technical and surprisingly abstract.

2. Forensic Accountant

Investigates financial crimes like fraud and money laundering. It’s basically detective work, but with spreadsheets.

3. Hydrologist

Studies water systems—rivers, rainfall, groundwater. Important for climate research, agriculture, and disaster prevention.

4. Clinical Informaticist

Bridges medicine and data—optimizing how hospitals use digital records and health data systems.

5. Food Technologist

Works on developing, preserving, and testing food products. This includes everything from shelf life to flavor chemistry.

6. Urban Planner

Designs how cities grow—balancing housing, transport, environment, and infrastructure.

7. Ethical Hacker (Penetration Tester)

Legally hacks systems to find vulnerabilities before criminals do. Sounds edgy, but it’s a structured cybersecurity job.

8. Audiologist

Specializes in hearing and balance disorders, working closely with patients using advanced diagnostic equipment.

9. Cartographer

Creates maps—but modern cartographers work with satellite data, GIS systems, and digital modeling.

10. Conservation Scientist

Manages natural resources like forests and wildlife, combining fieldwork with environmental policy.

Piano players

Imagine you had opportunity to get your hands on a piano, early in your life. And you had a passion and natural skill in playing this. I'm not saying to a level of an impeccable Beethoven but good enough, so we can listen uninterrupted. In that case nobody is stopping you from making a career out of your hobby. There are people who will actually hire you for playing in their arena if you'd do a satisfactory job. Imagine all the people who were born before the piano had been invented. Not only they had no way of building that career, but they had died without ever knowing the Beethoven in them. Such a waste of human talent.

You will ask me 🤔 how can I be a professional in anything I like? Like you had no choice but to follow the dreams set for you by others. Haven't You watched any Hollywood film about success? It all starts with agreeing to the shitty state you're currently in and taking necessary actions after writing them down on paper. Ticking them day after day, while quitting some of your favorite hedonistic routines. Saying no to mediocrity and by attracting energetic people who supports your course. It doesn't come naturally on a plate, but I can assure you it is far easier than a Chimney sweepers routine in Victorian Era.

Chimney Sweepers

Chimney sweepers by William Blake.

When my mother died I was very young,

And my father sold me while yet my tongue

Could scarcely cry 'weep! 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!

So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.

There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head

That curl'd like a lamb's back, was shav'd: so I said,

'Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head's bare,

You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair.'

And so he was quiet, & that very night,

As Tom was a-sleeping, he had such a sight!—

That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned & Jack,

Were all of them lock'd up in coffins of black;

And by came an Angel who had a bright key,

And he open'd the coffins & set them all free;

Then down a green plain, leaping, laughing, they run,

And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.

Then naked & white, all their bags left behind,

They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind;

And the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,

He'd have God for his father & never want joy.

And so Tom awoke; and we rose in the dark,

And got with our bags & our brushes to work.

Tho' the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm;

So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.

Chimney sweepers version 2 - the harsh reality

A little black thing among the snow,

Crying "'weep! 'weep!" in notes of woe!

"Where are thy father & mother? say?"

"They are both gone up to the church to pray.

"Because I was happy upon the heath,

And smil'd among the winter's snow,

They clothed me in the clothes of death,

And taught me to sing the notes of woe.

"And because I am happy & dance & sing,

They think they have done me no injury,

And are gone to praise God & his Priest & King,

Who make up a heaven of our misery."