Where Have All The Fun Jobs Gone?

Looking for a job you can truly enjoy? Check out the fun factor in these 8 careers.

By Yahoo! Education Staff
We've all heard the saying: when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.
While no job is fun and games all the time, a job you truly enjoy can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
[Looking for a degree? Start here]
If your current job is a daily grind, take a look at these eight fun jobs that could make your Monday mornings something to look forward to...

#1 - Graphic Designer

If you have an eye for graphics, becoming a graphic designer could let you unleash your creativity - and get paid!
[Find Graphic Design schools near you]
Fun Factor: Love the glossy pages of magazines? Imagine crafting layouts and covers that grab readers' attention. Want to make your mark in show business? You could specialize in creating credit sequences for television programs and movies. It's all in a day's work as a graphic designer.
Training: A bachelor's degree is usually required for entry-level graphic design positions, but an associate's degree or certificate program in graphic design can also help you learn the technical requirements needed for this creative career.
Average Pay: According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the median annual salary for staff-level graphic designers is $45,000. Designers who freelance or work under contract averaged at a reported median wage of $57,000.

#2 - PR/Marketing Specialist

If you love socializing, this might be the job for you. Public relations and marketing specialists are all about connecting with people and creating buzz and awareness for products and services.
Fun Factor: Is your finger on the pulse of what's hot? Use your pop culture savvy to create marketing campaigns that wow people. Want to make a splash in the media? Many news stories on radio and television start at the desks of public relations specialists.
Training: Look into degree programs in public relations, journalism, marketing, or communications. Take a look at courses or degree programs in advertising, business administration, finance, psychology, sociology, and creative writing.
Average Pay: Public relations specialists have an average annual salary of $51,280.
[Click here to find Marketing and Communication degree programs]

#3 - Forensic Accountant

If you love math and have a great eye for detail, you can help bring white-collar criminals to justice by investigating crimes like securities fraud and embezzlement schemes.
Fun Factor: You might work closely with law enforcement personnel during investigations. You may even appear as an expert witness during a trial to explain how you identified financial crimes like money laundering.
Training: A bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is usually required. You might also consider earning your master's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
Average Pay: Accountants and auditors have an average annual wage of $59,430 per year. Those who work in local and state government average at over $50,000.
[Search for Business and Accounting programs]

#4 - Chef

Do you love food? As a chef, you can create signature dishes that customers will crave.
Fun Factor: If you obsess over every detail of a meal, imagine designing and planning an entire menu to showcase your culinary skills. There's never a dull moment in the busy kitchens at restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses. This isn't a job for slacking...but you won't be bored!
Training: Culinary programs can help you learn valuable techniques, give you time to practice your cooking skills in a busy kitchen atmosphere, and provide the business and hospitality skills you might need to create menus - and eventually run a business.
Average Pay: Chefs and head cooks have an average salary of $38,770 a year. Top earners average at more than $66,680.
[Look into Business, Hospitality, and Culinary programs now]

#5 - Massage Therapist

As a massage therapist, you'll get the satisfaction of helping your patients deal with stress or pain.
Fun Factor: If you like making one-on-one connections with people, this might be a great job for you. Massage therapists form a bond of trust with the people they're helping. Plus, hey, you might get to spend your days at a spa.
Training: Most states require practicing massage therapists to complete a formal education program and pass an examination. Both part- and full-time massage therapy programs are available.
Average Pay: Massage therapists have an average wage of $16.78 an hour, including gratuities. The highest paid 10 percent average at more than $33.47 per hour. Self-employed massage therapists with a large client base have the highest earnings.
[Find a Massage Therapy program near you]

#6 - Meeting and Event Planner

Are you known for throwing an amazing bash? Use your planning skills to help others pull off inspired, one-of-a-kind parties and events.
Fun Factor: When working with clients, you get to choose the entertainment, arrange the program, and oversee every detail to ensure an event runs smoothly. It's a great career to put your personal touch on large celebrations and corporate gatherings alike.
Training: Check out bachelor's or associate's degree programs in marketing, public relations, communications, business, and hotel or hospitality management. As you gain experience, you can become an independent meeting consultant, or start your own meeting planning firm.
Average Pay: Meeting and convention planners have an average annual salary of $44,260.
[Find degree programs in Marketing and Business now]

#7 - Interior Designer

If you're the kind of person who walks into a room and gives it a mental make over, consider channeling your talent into an exciting interior design career.
Fun Factor: Like the idea of bringing new life to old buildings? Once you've got the right training and experience, you could collaborate with architects and contractors to revitalize a structure. Are you passionate about the environment? Get involved with green design and work with furnishings and construction materials that are energy-efficient or made from renewable resources.
Training: Check out certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree programs in interior design, and start building your portfolio as you work toward your degree. These programs should give you a good feel for CAD, drawing, perspective, spatial planning, color theory, and design principles.
Average Pay: Interior designers have an average annual salary of $44,950 a year. Top earners in this profession average at $82,750.
[Find Interior Design schools near you]

#8 - Video Game Designer

Do you love video games? Turn your passion for playing into a career. Video games are bigger than movies in today's entertainment world.
Fun Factor: If you love sketching people and places from your imagination, use your artistic skills to design characters and environments for the rich worlds of video games. Draw by hand or use a computer to craft storyboards depicting game play or animated sequences.
Training: Consider a bachelor's or associate's degree in graphic design, or check out one of the growing number of video game design schools.
Average Pay: According to Payscale.com, video game designers have an average salary of $42,282-$68,665 per year.
[Find Video Game Design or Graphic Design programs now]
Unless otherwise noted, all salary data is from the U.S. Department of Labor.