Six Best Careers for Hipsters

Source: Yahoo

Are you a creative trendsetter looking to match your career to your lifestyle? Read on for six hip careers.

By Terence Loose

Do you have a healthy creative streak? Is your banter witty, cool, and even - dare we say it - edgy?
Congratulations. According to the Urban Dictionary, you could be a hipster. If so, you probably want a career to match your trendsetting lifestyle.
Just ask clinical psychologist, Dr. Suzanne Anthony.
"When I think of the term hipster, I think of a person who is creative and edgy, or cutting edge in trends and style," says Anthony. "And since hipsters are so creative, I think they'd want a career in which they could apply that creativity so they have job enjoyment and success."
Right about now you're probably saying, "Yeah, sure, but what jobs are hip, man?"
Ah, we are so glad you asked, because we just happen to have the answer. Read on for six careers that could let you express your creative hipster side.

Career #1 - Graphic Designer

Do you have the creative eye of an artist and the computer brain of a techie? You could take advantage of those trendsetting skills by pursuing a career as a graphic designer.
Why it's for Hipsters: "Being a graphic designer does allow for creativity and an ability to come up with novel or new concepts and ideas, particularly artistic," says Anthony. "Graphic designers also probably have a love for finding innovative computer graphics and ways to use them. So I think this is a great career for creative types."
Maybe that's why the word "create" comes up so often in the U.S. Department of Labor's description of the job. They say that graphic designers create designs either by hand or using computers; create images that convey a message; select color, images, text style, and logo designs; and a host of other duties hipsters might totally dig.
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Education Options: Graphic designers are usually required to have a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field, says the Department of Labor. However, they add that candidates with a bachelor's degree in another field may obtain technical preparation in graphic design to meet most employment qualifications.

Career #2 - Paralegal

Okay, we know what you're thinking: "Paralegal? A hipster career?" But bear in mind that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, paralegals often help prepare legal arguments with attorneys. And we all know how creative some of those can sometimes get.
Why it's for Hipsters: "Being able to think about legal problems from a different perspective or in new ways would probably be a great asset for a paralegal," says Anthony. "So even though it involves a lot of research, this career could be appealing to a creative person."
In addition to investigating the facts of a case, paralegals get affidavits, write reports to help lawyers prepare for trials, and even assist lawyers during trials, says the Department of Labor. Add in a fancy suit and tie, and this could be a pretty hip career.
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Education Options: According to the Department, there are a few paths to pursuing a paralegal career. One is to earn an associate's degree in paralegal studies. And for those who already have a bachelor's degree in another subject, completing a certification program in paralegal studies is another option.

Career #3 - Writer

Do you like telling stories to your friends? If so, a career as a writer could be in your life's next chapter. And it's a chapter that could take any number of hipster-esque turns since there are various kinds of writers, from journalists and copywriters to screenwriters and novelists.
Why it's for Hipsters: "Writing is a very creative task: coming up with new ideas for stories or ways to present information," says Anthony. "I think that would be a great career for a creative type, especially since creative people are generally intelligent and that would certainly be a match for a writer."
What's more, writers may find themselves writing TV scripts, screenplays, or novels, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Seems pretty hip, right? If you're still not convinced, then consider that some writers may develop advertising copy for magazines, the Internet, and broadcasts. And just think how hip those "Got Milk" and Super Bowl commercials are.
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Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, a bachelor's degree is usually needed to prepare to pursue a career as a writer or author, with many employers looking for applicants with a degree in English, journalism, or communications.

Career #4 - Software Developer

Have you noticed how cool it is to be a techie in the information age? Yes, this is the era of smartphones, cloud computing, and social media - all of which use or rely on programs often created by software developers. It doesn't get more hip than that.
Why it's for Hipsters: "If as a software developer, you are able to come up with new concepts, like games or other applications, that would definitely be in line for a creative person who likes being on the cutting edge of trends and wants to come up with that next cool thing," says Anthony. She adds that it's no coincidence most new trends come out of technology.
Need we say more? Probably not, but we will anyway. Especially since the U.S. Department of Labor notes "software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs." It adds that software developers design applications and systems for computer programmers, who write the code to make their ideas a computing reality.
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Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, software developers tend to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Mathematics is a good bet, too.

Career #5 - Fashion Designer

Are you the fashion-forward one in your group of friends? Do you have a sense of style that's more, well, stylish than anyone around you? A career as a fashion designer might fit your hipster persona.
Why it's for Hipsters: "For someone who is very creative and wants to be on the cutting edge of trends, being a fashion designer would probably be a great fit," says Anthony. "It's applying new concepts and ideas to the fashion world, and if they're successful, they could be a trendsetter."

And actually, trendsetter is practically part of the job description, with the U.S. Department of Labor noting that fashion designers "study fashion trends and anticipate designs that will appeal to consumers." They go on to say that fashion designers sketch clothing designs (sounds creative to us) and use computer-aided design programs to create designs (and that sounds cutting edge).
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Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, formal education is not needed, however many fashion designer hopefuls earn an associate's or bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising to help boost their fabrics and textile knowledge.

Career #6 - Interior Designer

Did you blaze through shabby chic before anyone even got shabby? You could have a flair for interior design, a career made for expressing your hipster style.
Why it's for Hipsters: Interior designers apply art to a space and often create something from nothing, says Anthony. "Like the fashion world, interior design can be trendsetting and is often very creative." She adds that this would be a great career for any hipster because fashion sense goes along with interior design as well.
In addition to making spaces look cool for clients, the U.S. Department of Labor says that interior designers also create functional, safe living, and working environments. And they don't merely design homes and offices, but everything from airport terminals to malls and restaurants.
Click to Find the Right Interior Design Program Now.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, a bachelor's degree is generally required to prepare to pursue this career, along with classes in interior design, drawing, and computer-aided design (CAD).