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7 Careers Tailor-Made For Early Birds

Written by: Ben Hanson
Published on: Sep 27, 2017
Category:

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The working population can be broken down into two fundamental groups: the night owls and the early birds. It’s pretty simple. Either you’re at your best in the morning, or your creative juices only being flowing at night. Rarely do you find the overachiever who rallies at both ends of the proverbial candle.

The job market offers career paths well-suited for both types of people, and often the typical nine-to-five job will attract applicants from both groups. However, several specific careers are tailor-made for those who rise with the morning sun full of energy and ready to clock in. Sound like you? If so, keep these options in mind next time you find yourself on the job hunt.

Morning News

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From producer to reporter to make-up artist, there’s a job in the early morning news business for anyone who can crawl out of bed with a smile in the wee hours of early morning. You might even wrap up your workday before the sun actually rises. Have a face for radio? No problem! Disc jockeys and radio producers often start their day well before sunrise, too.

Elementary School Teacher

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You’ll be working a regular schedule from about 8 AM to 3 PM in most cities, but the flexibility to come in early to do your grading and catch up on work means you can have nearly every afternoon and evening free.

Mail Sorter

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It may not be glamorous, but it’s reliable, active work that often starts as early as 3 or 4 AM. Whether it’s the USPS, UPS, or FedEX, every piece of mail needs to be sorted before it ever hits the truck to head out for delivery. This is a great job not only for early birds, but for highly organized people who thrive on accuracy.

Baker

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You can’t enjoy freshly baked bread and sweet rolls unless someone wakes up early enough to knead the dough and throw it in the oven. Bakers and pastry chefs are up early to bring folks a  delicious, carb-heavy breakfast to perk them up… but you don’t need that. You’re an early bird!

911 Operator

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Emergencies happen round the clock, so emergency response and dispatch centers need to be staffed at all times. The early morning or overnight shift might be one that’s hard to fill, making you an ideal candidate if you’re willing to punch in early in the AM.

Travel Industry

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You may not have what it takes to pilot the plane, but there are countless job opportunities in the travel industry that require early morning shifts. You could train to be an air traffic controller, or look for an office job at a travel agency—depending on the clients, they may need staff at odd hours to handle clients in multiple time zones. And don’t forget about flight attendants who get to see the world (starting at sunrise).

Barista

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The bakers are up early to bake their breakfast, but who’s whipping up their double shot caramel macchiato with extra whip? Baristas get to work shortly after the bakers to “put the kettle on,” as they say in England. It’s an excellent career for a friendly early bird with a flair for the creative.

As you can see, a wide range of job opportunities is available for anyone who can muster a smile at 3 AM. Challenging jobs, too, that are both rewarding and fun. Just because you like to shut down for the day by mid-afternoon doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a very fulfilling career. Remember, you may be the hidden gem in the applicant pool because of your willingness to come in early.