Ever considered a job as a crime scene cleaner? What about a circus performer? The answer is probably not, because, we suspect, you’ve never met a crime scene cleaner or circus performer.

Youth charities have for years called for better careers advice for young people, and the pandemic has put a pause on millions of young people’s job aspirations as work experience or internships have been off the cards.

“For young people who are at the start of their careers, who have been on furlough and not working for up to 18 months, there hasn’t been the opportunity to gain work experience in a meaningful way,” Steve Haines, director of public affairs at youth charity Impetus told The Big Issue.

So where has Gen Z turned to try to figure out what career is right for them? TikTok.

The trend for ‘behind the scenes’ or ‘day in the life’ videos has boomed on the popular video sharing app, with people from all kinds of sectors sharing a (sometimes glamourised, we may add) look into their working life.

We round-up the most awe-inspiring TikTok career inspo videos to spark your ambition.

1. Visual effects creator

@stevegiralt6
Behind the scenes of a sub Commercial #fyp #visualengineering #foryoupage #slowmotion #phantomflex4k #motioncontrol #oddlysatisfying #cinematography #robotics #moco
♬ original sound – stevegiralt

Who would have have guessed this many ropes and motors went in to a sand which advert? The problem-solving and engineering skills demonstrated in this behind the scenes video are so impressive, so if you’re looking for a career that combines creativity with technical skills, this could be the one for you.

2. Crime scene cleaner

@biggieclean
I really do like my job. Even tho chick Fila would pay me the same amount. #dayinmylife #cleaning #satisfying #satisfaction #work
♬ original sound – Biggie Clean

Not for one the faint hearted, it’s surprising to hear how much job satisfaction this role could provide for people who really want to improve the lives of others. The specialist gear, chemicals and techniques required make this a pretty unique profession.

3. Circus performer

@jenni.kerr
Back to the 3 show day life ✨ feet are falling apart but that’s ok ✨ #cirque #clermontferrand #frenchtiktok #france #dayinthelife
♬ L.A.LOVE (la la) [feat. YG] – Fergie

Running off to join the circus looks like a lot more hard work than the fairy tales had us believe according to this TikTok from professional ice-skater Jenni Kerr. Two shows a day looks exhausting, but such is the life of a performer.

4. Farmer

@farmerwill_
Reply to @ffishtstick
♬ original sound – Farmer Will

If you haven’t yet checked out #farmtok, you need to take a trip. For many of us living in cities, it can be tricky to imagine what life in the rural British countryside would be like. And with hundreds of British farms facing labour shortages leaving fruit and vegetables unpicked, there could be a vacancy with your name on it.

5. Small business owner

@cococosmeticsbychloe
Oh what a day 😋😂💕 #dayinthelife #smallbusiness #smallbiz #packagingorders
♬ Rainy Day – The Dwelling Light

Small businesses have boomed over the pandemic, leading to 2020 being named the ‘year of the start-up.’ From candle making to baking to reselling vintage clothes, thousands of people turned their side-hustle into a full time career. Putting a spotlight on label, packaging and accounting choices, #smallbusinesstiktok has everything you need to help you set up your own small business.

6. Social media content creator

@laineyngo
Day in the life at my job 💕 #dayinmylifevlog #socialmediaassistant #socialmediamarketing #marketingtiktok #photoshooting #beautybyearth #fyupage #dfw
♬ Supermodel – Ru Paul

Content creator sounds like a very woolly term, and it’s hard to imagine what such a job would actually look like day-to-day. Styling products to be photographed for social media requires an understanding of visuals, trends and audiences, making it a varied career choice.

7. TV journalist and presenter

@monikaplaha
A day in the life of me #dayinmylife #journalist #tv #news #broadcast #work #fyp #foryou #coronaera #journalism
♬ original sound – Monika Plaha

The journalism industry has been plagued with accusations of elitism and nepotism. As they say, ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know.’ But, with journalists like Monika Plaha sharing an insight into their day to day life, this would inspire the next generation of reporters and editors.

If you think a career in journalism could be for you, take a look at The Big Issue’s Breakthrough scheme set to provide media training for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.

8. Dog groomer

@henryshousegrooming
Another day in the life as my last one seemed to be a hit 🐶 #dogsoftiktok #dayinthelife #fyp #doggrooming #foryou #goviral
♬ Summer day – TimTaj

A seemingly dream career for an animal lover, but is it as fun-filed as it would seem? With one quarter of households owning a dog, there’s certainly a strong market for groomers.

9. Cryptocurrency trader and investor

@matt.mortimer
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TRADER & INVESTOR 📈📈📈#GARNIERMASKMOMENT #fypシ #xrpcommunity #xrp #crypto #cryptocurrency #bitcoin #btc #dayinmylife
♬ Something New (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – Wiz Khalifa

Cryptocurrencies are edging ever closer to the mainstream, and Gen Zers are first in line to invest. Head to TikTok to learn the basics on the different cryptocurrencies out there, how and why to build a portfolio.

10. Maths teacher

@loko_loves
A 12 hour day in the life ✨Part 3 ✨ #teachersoftiktok #mathsteacher #dayinthelife
♬ GyalisFastRemixChallenge – Realremzo

A more traditional career path, it’s not hard to imagine what a job as a teacher would look like day-to-day, after all, we’ve all witnessed teachers in action at school. However, representation for women and people of colour is particularly lacking in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

Young people are more likely to aspire to career routes if they see people who look like them in that sector. So if you feel underrepresented in your field, make a TikTok to inspire the next generation to join you.

TikTok

Want to know what career is right for you? These TikTok day-in-the-life videos are here to inspire you