Student jobs:
10 steps to becoming a video game designer
Games design: From summer work experience at games companies to game design creativity exercise to joining forums, getting games desing degrees - and, of course, playing games - we offer 10 steps to becoming a video game designer.
Vocational courses versus academic careers
Vocational courses: Vocational courses are ones based on creativity rather than academia. Both are marvellous, but a vocational course choice will always be questioned. Muinat looks at the inherent snobbery involved in career choices...
Office jobs and piercings in the workplace
Piercings in the workplace: Alternative? Facing the grim prospect of an office job? We give you advice on work hairstyles, timekeeping, office dress and piercings in the workplace. Don't hide your individuality - temper it.
How to be a fashion writer. A good one.
Writing jobs: Since the first cavewoman dolled herself up for a night on the desert and drew a picture of it on her cave wall, fashion has been a huge part of human life. Many years later, as the printing press came about, people started writing magazines on it. Editor of Lipstick Royalty Magazine, Rachel Phipps tells us what that's all about.
How to get into volunteering and volunteer work
Volunteer work: Why volunteer? How to get started? And where to do it? Volunteering is a way to give something back. Danni's birds-eye view may encourage you to take your interest in volunteering a step further...
Secs in the City: A girl's guide to office temp work
Part time jobs: Got a flak jacket? Given the current situation of rising unemployment, more and more women in offices are working on contract. The good news for us girls is that there are more and more contracts out there. Our office temping advice will make you a stand-out temp.
How to look for jobs if you have dyed hair and piercings
Job search: "Two years after writing 10 Ways to Survive being an Alternative Student, Roswell Ivory has left university with a degree and a debt. It's time to either take another course and defer the outside world for three more years, or job search... The thing is, she's still an alternative student at heart and some jobs just don't accommodate that. So for summer jobs, student jobs, or uni graduates seeking a career, here are...
Become a gaming store clerk (geek job!)
Part time student jobs: We had a chat with Kitty Dean about what it's like to work in a gaming store, and if roleplaying games are cooler than console games or if they're floundering like a dying kraken thrashing in the sea (yes they are and no they're not). Jealous much? You bet your shiny ass. Why the hell aren't we working in a Mookychick-run gaming store?
Become a make-up artist
Fashion jobs: The lovely and talented James Clark has put his heart and soul into becoming an established makeup artist, working for money as well as for love. From packing up your kit bag to glamour shoots and networking for indie film contacts, he tells you how to start at the bottom... but aim for the top.
How to be a screenwriter
Writing jobs: You're minding your own business when an over-bearing parent/teacher/irritatingly mature friend asks you about your future plans. You have no idea! Why not follow in Joss Whedon's footsteps and get into screenwriting? No two days alike, you get to flaunt your creativity without seeing your values shrivel and die... screenwriting is currently one of the most exciting and innovative industries in the world.
Become a music producer
Music careers: We Like It Edgy is a music producer. It's a competitive industry but there are ways to survive and flourish, especially if you go above and beyond your training, buy cheap kit of eBay and know your remixes and mashups. Find out more about being a music producer.
Unusual jobs: Become a female train driver
Unusual jobs: Meet Alena, a girly pagan train driver. There are only 2 other girls on her team but she's treated equally by the boys and on nights out they look after her. She can have her hair any colour she likes, she can drive 100mph legally AND she earns over £35k a year. So who wouldn't want to be a train driver?
Unusual jobs: Become an interpreter
Unusual jobs: Meet Briggie, Intrepid interpreter and globetrotter who often attends 2 or 3 major world conferences in as many countries all in one week! So much expenses-paid travelling and jetsetting can't be too bad a job, so we asked her how she got into it.
Unusual jobs: Become a hypnotherapist
Unusual jobs: Hypnotherapy (using hypnosis to help people heal themselves) is not the same as hypnotism (using hypnosis to make people think they are a chicken). Heather explains what her job as a hypnotherapist entails, and - interestingly - most courses won't let you in before you're 24 so you have the opportunity to live your life first...
Unusual jobs: Become a graphic designer
Unusual jobs: LaJura is a free spirit who realised theatre work wasn't going to pay a regular wage and got into designing t-shirts, business cards for models, flash websites and more... let LaJura teach you how to become a graphic designer and how to build your design empire once you are!
Unusual jobs: Become a nurse
Unusual jobs: Cookie True describes what it's like to have a truly caring support system at work, be able to keep your tats/piercings/hairstyle, and what it's like to deal with cutters and people in a depressed phase of their lives as part of your job. Lots of alternative girls get into being a nurse. Find out if being a nurse might be the alternative job for you.
Become a gothic alternative model
Alternative models: Pepsi is an alternative goth model who calls the shots - she works part-time with who she wants and gets to vamp up in her own clothes for the camera. She does need to take safety precautions though... find out if you too would like to be an alternative model.
Music jobs: Become an online radio DJ
Unusual jobs: After a false start of loving Kylie and the Spice Girls, Hayley Foster discovered riot grrl and now hosts her own female-fronted music show on Catnip Radio. Find out how she did it, and how you can do the same.
How to create your own net comic
Thanks to the popularity of 'Subculture of One' and the friendly feel of the 'Mangapunk' community, Rachel Nabors has done a lot to change the face of comix. Our veteran Mookychick Guillame tracks her down in her stylised iridescent lair to find out more in this Alternative Careers special feature.
Become a flight booker
Mama Africa Orange (blatently not her real name, but she felt like venting some spleen and thought it would be cool to do it incognito) spills the beans on how mind-shredding and unglamourus it can be working in the tourist industry...
Become a fashion and music photographer
Whether you're drowned in festival mud, being spat on by music fans or smooched and told 'you look lovely too, darling' by male models, you'll never look back as a fashion / music photographer, says Shirlaine Forrest. Do watch out for the flying beer cans though.
Become a media make-up artist
The real downside of being a make-up artist is the constant danger of a bad back or being involved in soft porn shoots (the two aren't related). The upside is it's one of the best jobs in the world, says Andrea Perry-Bevan
Become a rock singer
Ex-screamer of the Dirty Burds (RIP), current screamer in The Swankers, the rockalicious Jiggy Burd tells you how to become a rock singer and what to do with the swathes of skinny indie boys dying to kiss your hand when you come off stage...
Become a primary schoolteacher
Nadia Foley-Comer knows that if you want to warp expand little childrens' minds and have them grow, there's nowt more satisfying than becoming a primary school teacher. It's the career that's as alternative as you are.
Become a Marilyn lookalike
Wanta wiggle in high heels and fend off bitchy profesh Marilyn wannabes? Got hot looks and a GSOH? You could have what it takes to be a Marilyn Monroe lookalike...
Become a music video director
Stacey Goldschmidt helps out the underground music scene she loves by making music videos for the guys and gals concerned. Find out why her job is more fun than a hatful of rabbits.
Become a magazine editor of a start-up magazine
Holly Kirkwood co-created and edited a super-sexy and dare we say 'fresh' magazine called SpinOff. It was for people who usually get their politics from gangsta lyrics and watching South Park. It all happened by accident, but it sold well and changed her life for ever. Could you see yourself doing the same?
Become a girl in a chip shop
Forget being a cabaret artist or music producer, working in a chippy (a fast food outlet for those overseas) is one of the finest jobs we can aspire to. Hurrah for Melissa Bishop!
Become a music publisher
Caroline Robertson is the super-fresh music publisher that's been proposed to, drugged up and nearly shot at by people in the music biz. Find out if you'd like her job.
Become a yacht chef
Michelle Bush says that being a chef on a yacht isn't all job perks and hanging out with Dolph Lundgren. The good news is that some of being a yacht chef is!
Become a burlesque artist
Can't be arsed to have a crap working life? Meet the mermaidalicious Miss Roxy Velvet, who'll talk you through what you need to know to become a vampish cabaret performer. Go, Roxy!
Become a poledance teacher
Unusual part time jobs: Missy X wants to make it really clear that being a poledance teacher is not by and means the same as being a stripper - but you do get an equally fit bod.
Student jobs advice
Learn about unusual jobs, student jobs, part time jobs, the hottest and most exciting jobs around the globe and get our list of different alternative careers including jobs for teens - Mookychick
