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The Top 8 Coolest Jobs in the World for College Graduates and How to Get Them
2021-09-14•21 minute read
While we don’t all share the same definition of “cool,” we can all agree that finding a job after graduation that epitomizes that word would be pretty cool.
Top 5 Traits of People with Cool Jobs
Did you know that people with cool jobs share many of the same traits? Some can be taught, while others tend to come naturally. If you possess these traits, you have a better chance of landing a unique, unconventional job.
1. Flexible
Cool jobs could require travel, thinking outside the box, or non-standard hours. People in these environments may need to adjust to a swift change in direction, adapt to a new work environment, or jump to a new way of thinking. Flexibility is vital if you want to be successful.
2. Creative
Creativity is a broad skill that can encompass both conceptualizing and creating as well as thinking laterally to solve complex problems. Creatives recognize and develop ideas that turn into something new and valuable to society. Creativity occurs across many job disciplines, including science, technology, education, psychology, and economics.
3. Team Player
Nearly every job requires some level of teamwork and people skills. People skills will help you when you’re interviewing for a cool job, and if you possess excellent teamwork skills, companies may increase your responsibilities and see you as a good candidate for promotions.
4. Multifaceted
Employers like to hire multi-talented applicants. They want to know you can do your job well and help where you’re needed throughout the company. When you have more than one interdisciplinary skill, you differentiate yourself from the rest of the applicants. It could be the difference between a standard job offer and an incredible job offer.
5. Passionate
When you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll want to do it better. Most successful employees are passionate about their job and excited about growing in their position. People who choose cool jobs do it because they love and live for it!
Now you know some of the top traits of people with cool jobs, let’s get into the list of the top 8 coolest jobs for college graduates.
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Top 8 Coolest Jobs for College Graduates
1. Forensic Scientist
Forensic scientists are the cool people you see on crime scene investigation TV shows and movies. These depictions show forensic scientists visiting crime scenes, examining physical and DNA evidence, and solving crimes. Forensic scientists have a unique set of skills within the natural and physical sciences. They also understand investigative protocols and the criminal justice system.
This cool job is both highly technical and highly specialized. If you’re interested in pursuing this challenging career, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience unique working environments and you’ll likely have a high earning potential.
Top 5 Forensic Science Careers
1. Forensic Medical Examiner
2. Forensic Engineer
3. Forensic Accountant
4. Crime Scene Investigator
5. Crime Laboratory Analyst
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career in Forensic Science
- Chemistry
- Biological Science
- Forensic Science
Top Universities to Study Forensic Science
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State’s Eberly College of Science offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forensic Science focusing on biology or chemistry. On-campus organizations like the Penn State Forensic Science Club give you more experience in the field. If you wish to continue your studies, they also offer a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Forensic Science.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University offers many science degrees, including master’s degrees in Forensic Science and Law. Undergraduate students interested in forensic science can explore the field as a minor. Syracuse University also offers internships with the FBI, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the New York State Police.
University of California, Davis
UC Davis offers a graduate degree in forensic science and is home to an impressive group of forensic science faculty, including engineers, scientists, doctors, and psychologists. Some of their faculty also work with the California Criminalistics Institute. Students study identification and DNA typing, courtroom testimony, and forensic science research methods.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
2. Game Designer
Video game designers have one of the coolest jobs in the world because they get to create the concepts, characters, stories, and vision for a video game. Game designers work with a team of artists and programmers to script language and tell a story. While designing games is a creative career, game designers must understand programming languages, software, and 3D modeling programs.
If you’re planning on working for a large game studio, you’ll need a degree in game design, computer science, software engineering, or a related degree. To succeed in this cool job, you must love playing video games, be aware of popular trends in the industry, understand advanced technology, and love working on a team.
Learn more about Crimson Global Academy’s Game Developer Club.
Top 5 Game Design Careers
- Lead designer
- Content designer
- Game writer
- Audio designer
- System designers
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career in Game Design
- Computer Science
- Video Game Design
Top Universities to Study Game Design/Computer Science
University of Southern California (USC)
Located in Los Angeles, USC gives students an ideal launching point to game design careers because many of these jobs are located in the city. Students can pursue either the design and production part of game design with a degree in Interactive Media or Game Design or the technical aspect of developing games with a Computer Science degree.
New York University
NYU’s Department of Game Design is a unique department that allows students to explore the diverse disciplines of game design, including computer programming, sound and audio, visual art, animation, and more! Located within the famous Tisch School of Arts, this department’s mission is to “graduate the next generation of game designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and critics, and to advance the field of games by creating a context for advanced scholarship and groundbreaking work.”
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
The Interactive Media and Game Development program at Worchester Polytechnic University is one of the first gaming programs in the nation. Students in this hands-on program work with faculty researchers blending the arts and technology aspects of game development and interactive media, shaping the gaming, education, art, and healthcare industries.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
3. Cyber Security Specialist
As our online world grows, so does the risk of cyberattacks. Cyber security specialists work as “online spies” for large companies, searching for online threats and preventing attacks. They are also responsible for providing security when software systems, networks, and data centers and being developed. These specialists look for risks in hardware and software, managing and monitoring any attacks. Companies like Google, Sony, and Adobe hire cyber security specialists as part of their strong security plan, helping them protect and secure their online assets.
Top 5 Cyber Security Careers
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Security Architect, IT
- Security Manager, IT
- Security Assessor
- Security Engineer
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career in Cyber Security
- Computer Science
- Computer Programming
- Information Security
- Computer Information Systems
Top Universities to Study Cyber Security
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT’s computer science program consistently ranks as one of the best in the world. The man behind the internet, Tim Berners-Lee, was one of MIT’s professors! While the program is intense, it’s also immersive, allowing students to explore their interests. As an MIT computer science graduate, you’ll be able to take your cyber security skills to virtually any company in the world.
Crimson Students are 3x more likely to gain admission to MIT.
Stanford University
Stanford University sits in the heart of the world-renowned Silicon Valley. This area is home to some of the world’s largest technology companies, and Stanford graduates have their pick of cybersecurity jobs. Students who wish to pursue careers in cybersecurity typically choose a Computer Science major. Through its deep connections within the technology world, Stanford’s computer science department helps students find internships and job opportunities at companies like Google, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Carnegie Mellon University
While not as big of a name as MIT or Stanford, Carnegie Mellon offers students internship and fellowship opportunities in cybersecurity, technology, and more! Their curriculum focuses on solving real-world problems and equipping students for successful cybersecurity and technology careers.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
4. Animator
Imagine creating films, cartoons, and television shows that bring joy and pleasure to adults and children alike. As an animator, you’ll need to have strong creativity, attention to detail, and organizational skills. You’ll also need to work well in a team environment as well as on your own. Most of all, you should have a passion for animation, drawing, character development, and storytelling. You can work in 2D, 3D model-making, computer-generated, or stop-frame animation in this cool job. As part of a team, you’ll help establish project goals, create storyboards, and design animations.
Top 5 Animation Careers
- Animator
- Art director
- Film and video editor
- Video game designer
- 3D Modeler
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career in Animation
- Computer Animation
- Fine Arts
- Graphic Design
- Media Production
Top Universities to Study Animation
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Established in 1961 by Walt and Roy Disney, the CalArts School of Film and Video offers a robust Bachelor of Fine Arts in Character Animation. This program is for students who want to learn more about storytelling in animation. Through comprehensive artistic and technical training, students develop their traditional and computer graphic animation skills.
University of Southern California (USC)
Students at USC who wish to pursue animation careers typically receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts. They have the option to minor in Animation + Digital Arts, 3D Animation, or Science Visualization. Graduates of the BFA program develop an appreciation for the media industry and their skills for their chosen area of expertise. Pixar, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, and Disney all hire USC animation alumni.
Bournemouth University, UK
Students in Bournemouth University’s Computer Animation Art & Design program explore the creative side of computer animation, including art directing, character animation, and design. The program combines arts and technology, giving students the skills to bring their craft to life. Bournemouth University also helps students establish industry connections within its animation degree. Students have the option to participate in a 30-week work placement anywhere in the world.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
5. Film Critic
If you have a strong passion for movies and find yourself analyzing elements of a film, including characters, plot, cinematography, editing, and writing, you should consider a career as a film critic. Film critics critique films, writing about what they loved or hated about the movie or about specific topics that encourage further exploration and discussion. Typically, film critics will publish their reviews on websites, blogs, publications, podcasts, or videos. While you don’t need a film degree to be a film critic, it is helpful to have a degree in an area that focuses on writing and film.
Top 3 Movie Critic Careers
- Amateur movie critic
- Journalistic movie critic
- Academic movie critic
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career as a Movie Critic
- Cinematography
- Film Studies
- Journalism
- Communications
- Screenwriting
Top Universities to Study Film and Movie Criticism
American Film Institute (AFI)
The AFI’s Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies is one of the most selective film schools in the world. They offer a two-year MFA program where students can specialize in directing, producing, and writing. The school brings in notable speakers from the film industry to talk about their experiences and help students make connections in the industry.
University of Southern California (USC)
USC’s Cinema and Media Studies Division offers a “foundational education in the cultural, artistic, political, and commercial context of media creation, production, circulation, and consumption.” If you hope to become a film critic, you will learn how to build a strong base for your arguments and build a strong group of alumni connections in the film industry.
Beijing Film Academy, China
The Beijing Film Academy is China’s most elite film school, specializing in direction, production, and writing. Linked to Beijing Film Studio, this highly competitive school has produced some big names in film and television. As a student, you will be immersed in the international film scene. This unique education will help distinguish you from other film critics, giving you more clout in the international film industry. Most of the classes are taught in Chinese, although international students can take some courses in English.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
6. Astronaut (Space Studies)
If you’re interested in studying space, fascinated by stars and planets, or love engineering and design, then a career in space studies might be for you. Aerospace Engineers, also called rocket scientists, have one of the coolest jobs in the world. Rocket scientists design aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites! Their job also includes building and testing prototypes. If you dream of becoming an astronaut, it’s important to plan your career path early. It’s a challenging career to break into, but not impossible.
Top 5 Careers in the Space Industry
- Astronauts
- Astronomers
- Aerospace Engineers
- Physicists
- Technical Writers
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career in the Space Industry
- Biological science
- Physical science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mathematics
- Astronomy
Top Universities for Space Studies
California Institute of Technology
CalTech’s engineering and science programs are some of the best in the world, and undergraduates can begin their journey towards a career in the space industry through any of these programs. CalTech boasts its own astronomy department and the revolutionary Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS). If you’re interested in the space program, a degree from CalTech is the perfect place to start.
Harvard University
Harvard University’s Department of Astronomy offers undergraduate students exciting observational and theoretical programs in star formation, black holes, astrophysics, and more! If Harvard students choose an astrophysics concentration, they have the opportunity to travel to remote astronomical observatories and pursue a joint concentration in Physics or Earth & Planetary Sciences. Harvard’s Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian has more than 350 scientists and is one of the world’s greatest centers for astrophysics research.
University of California, Berkeley
As one of the top schools to study space science, UC Berkeley has undergraduate programs in many engineering fields, including aerospace engineering and Engineering Science. UC Berkeley is also home to the Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL), a premier space sciences research facility. Led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, this facility focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space. Since 1959, SSL has participated in more than 50 NASA space science missions.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
7. Entertainment Engineer
Do you love to solve cool problems? Spend hours taking apart an old television or building intricate Lego castles? You might consider a career as an entertainment engineer. This exciting career includes creating mechanical and structural systems for entertainment stages, theaters, theme parks, and live performances. Entertainment engineers are the people behind the Super Bowl half-time show and the huge displays in Times Square. This job is perfect for people who like to create, think fast, and can juggle many pieces of a puzzle at once.
Top 5 Careers for Entertainment Engineer
- Theme-park Engineer
- Live Entertainment Engineer
- Entertainment Facility Structural Engineering
- Rigging, Staging + Show Action Machinery Engineer
- Architectural Theming Engineer
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career as an Entertainment Engineer
- Engineering Entertainment Design
- Mechanical Engineering with Stagecraft or Technical Theater Minor
- Computer Graphic Design
Top Universities to Study Entertainment Engineering
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
It’s not a surprise that a university in Las Vegas is one of the best schools to study entertainment engineering. Students have plenty of opportunities to work in Las Vegas, learning how to design and build stages and maintain facilities. Rooted in theater and architecture, UNLV’s interdisciplinary academic program is the perfect combination of engineering and entertainment.
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University offers an Entertainment Design and Technology program that centers around theatre design and technology. It also includes the study of scenery, costumes, projection, and lighting. The university has close connections with the entertainment industry, so students in this program can build credibility and experience in the entertainment industry while studying at the university.
University of Derby, United Kingdom
If you’re interested in studying entertainment engineering outside of the United States, the University of Derby is an excellent option. Students in their entertainment engineering degree program learn venue design, sound control, live event production, and acoustic design.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
8. Athletic Trainer
Are you a former athlete or just love sports? Consider a cool job as an athletic trainer. If you work for a professional sports organization, you’ll work with players to create personal fitness goals. You’ll also have opportunities to customize exercise routines and develop rehabilitation programs when players get injured.
Top 5 Careers for Athletic Trainers
- Professional Sports Trainer
- Intercollegiate Athletic Trainer
- Law Enforcement and Military Trainer
- Performing Arts Trainer
- Occupational and Industry Trainer
Best Undergraduate Majors for a Career as an Athletic Trainer
- Kinesiology
- Sports Science
- Exercise Science
Top Universities to Study Athletic Training
Ithaca College
Through their School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, Ithaca College offers a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and a Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. This school ranks at the top of the list because its athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and has state-of-the-art fitness facilities for education and training.
University of Texas at Austin
As one of the largest universities in the country, the University of Texas at Austin offers the trifecta of degrees - a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. In addition to their schoolwork, students must complete clinical rotations.
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach is renowned for its Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Master of Science in Exercise Science. Their Kinesiology department also offers master’s degrees in exercise physiology and nutrition, sport and exercise psychology, and sports medicine and injury studies.
Check out our College Admissions Calculator to see your chances of getting into your dream college.
Final Thoughts
Only you can determine what a “cool job” means to you. If you’re passionate, inspired, and driven to learn more about a particular subject, see if there’s a career in that area. These jobs aren’t cool because someone else says they’re cool. They’re cool because passionate and talented people decide they are worth pursuing. The journey towards securing a cool job begins by discovering your passions.
Need help finding the university that will land you your dream job? Crimson Education is the world’s leading university admissions support company specializing in helping students gain entry to top universities and land the job of their dreams.
