Whether you're obsessed with cosmetics or comic books, chances are there's a cool job just waiting for you.
"Finding a career that will fulfill you personally and professionally requires exploration and a great deal of trial and error," says Alexandra Levit, author of "How'd You Score That Gig?" (Ballantine Books, 2008).
Get inspired by these pros who are working their dream jobs and are getting paid to play.
Making a Living With Make-Up
Tamar Kamen, product development manager at Estee Lauder, knows a thing or two about cosmetics. While she works on the 18-month lifecycle of a skin-care product and simultaneously manages several products at different stages in the process, she interfaces with departments including marketing, research and development, as well as engineers and chemists. Tamar identifies product need, sets parameters for their development, liaisons with the lab, manages the budget, and of course, tests make-up in the consumer mindset.
"It's rewarding to see something you worked on on a shelf," Kamen explains. "Plus, it's global. I could go to Asia and see my products in stores."
Dream big: Work at a cosmetic counter to interact with customers and work with the product. A bachelor's degree with the ability to manage projects is a requirement. "It's very detail-oriented and you have to follow up on absolutely everything," she says.
The Colorful World of Comic Book Artistry
Daniel Crosier, comic book illustrator currently working on "Bartholomew of the Scissors" (Blue Water Productions), says comic book illustrations are a natural extension of his artistic ability, which includes creating contemporary wood sculptures, paintings, building props for local films, and directing short films. "This is another outlet for my art and storytelling. Having a background in illustration translates well into comic books."
Comic book illustrators typically work closely with the in-house editorial department. As stories evolve, so do the illustrations to match the characters and their actions. Illustrators need to adhere to strict deadlines to ensure their role is on track with the publisher's schedule and be able to work with others. "Work at your craft and learn how to take criticism," says Crosier.
Dream big: "Network, network, network!" he advises. "If an opportunity doesn't present itself, make an opportunity. Things will rarely happen to you." A degree in fine arts is a plus.
Playing Video Games for a Paycheck
Daemon Hatfield, associate editor on the Nintendo team at IGN, an Internet and media services provider focusing on video games and entertainment, boasts, "I get to play my hobby at work!"
Hatfield primarily writes previews, tests games, reviews, and covers news about the industry. Traveling is part of his job, too, since industry events have taken him to Japan, Germany, and Las Vegas.
It's not all fun and video games, he assures, however. "Imagine having to sit through a really bad movie and watch all of it. Occasionally we get bad games and I have to play through them." Plus, time is of essence. "Since we work online in a fast-paced environment, it's challenging; you have to get everything done quickly while keeping the quality intact."
Dream big: Go to college and focus on English or journalism, says Hatfield, then get a good internship or freelance.
From Concept to Card Game: Producing Games
As national sales manager and producer at Endless Games, the maker of board games, card games, trivia games, and TV game show games, Brian Turtle works with store buyers, participates in trade shows, and figures out how to take a concept, such as "Wheel of Fortune," and turn it into a card game.
"It's fun and exciting, but it's a full-tilt sprint from January through December. It's a juggling act." Brian tests games to get in the mindset of consumers and also works with inventors and their ideas. "It's great watching a game take shape from the original idea into the shrink-wrapped product."
Dream big: Organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, and a bachelor's degree are musts. And oh yeah, it helps if you like games.
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