20 Questionable Careers That Just Don’t Make Sense

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Have you ever heard somebody’s job title and wondered what it is they even do all day? Some jobs just seem useless, whether to outside observers or even to the people hired to do them. Some jobs are crucial to the organization; others are average, and some jobs may be just accessories or unnecessary.

Here are 21 jobs people hesitate to admit they find completely useless. Is your job here? Continue reading, and let us know in the comments!

1. Sorting Files

Ever wondered why sorting files gets such a bad reputation? Imagine getting paid to engage in a thrilling game of “Sort by Date” on an Excel spreadsheet. One person’s first job involved redirecting case files based on the time results came out, a task that would make anyone question the meaning of their existence.

Another unfortunate soul, during a summer stint at a steel factory, discovered the joys of earning $14 an hour to be the reigning champion of “Move Files to Different Folders and Rename Them.”

It’s a task so riveting that pulling weeds and painting walls suddenly became a welcomed break. Well, sorting files may not top the list of exhilarating professions, but at least these individuals have some entertaining tales to tell about their early career adventures.

2. Teachers Who Don’t Teach

Imagine a world where teachers channel their inner Houdini, asking students to log into Pearson and then poof, vanish into thin air. One person expressed the sheer bewilderment of being instructed to Google their way through a university assignment, and turning the classroom into a high-stakes game of “Let’s Ask the Internet.”

A disgruntled student even dropped a class because, well, paying $1400 to be taught by an AI chat bot seemed a tad absurd.

3. Management Consultant

According to Redditors, management consultants navigate the corporate world with PowerPoint slides and buzzwords, attempting to sprinkle magic “strategic” dust on businesses. One person, deep in the trenches of consultancy, spilled the beans, admitting that the clients either possess the knowledge already or are just plain allergic to change. The harsh reality? A lot of money often equates to minimal strategic or operational impact.

However, there’s a silver lining in the form of enterprise-wide software solutions—the beacon of hope in the consultant’s toolkit. What these consultants “actually do” is rephrasing clients’ ideas to make them sound like revolutionary epiphanies, all for the sake of peer approval.

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4. Pet Psychic

We live in a world where pets have secret conversations with psychic interpreters. The idea is to grasp what’s going on inside your furry friend’s mind through mystical communication. These people supposedly translate the thoughts of various animals, with specialized training required for each species. Whether it’s true or a clever money-making scheme, the allure of pet psychics continues to captivate pet lovers.

5. Elevator Attendant

Back in the day, elevator attendants were like navigators of vertical travel, guiding people through the mysterious world of department store floors. However, many people think that it’s unnecessary. Of course, once upon a time elevators were operated by levers, you had to manually close the cage-like doors, etc. There was actually some danger and skill involved. But now, a child could operate an elevator, and a paid attendant isn’t really necessary.

6. Telemarketers

Telemarketers often find themselves in a tough spot. Everyone is left wondering: Who actually buys stuff from these people? It’s puzzling how a whole generation shares a dislike for telemarketers. Most people just hang up on them right away.

Then there’s somebody who took on the role of a State Farm telemarketer, sharing a tale of eight months filled with rejection, except for the one shining moment when a family connection offered a glimmer of hope.

7. Sign Spinners

Sign spinners, or sign twirlers, are people who hold a sign and stand on the street to get attention and possibly recruit a few customers for the business that hired them. They’re like a human billboard, twirling signs and hoping somebody will take notice and buy. While sign spinners were popular in the past, there are few of them now since people are now shifting to the digital marketing space.

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8. Paparazzi

Everybody knows what the paparazzi jobs are doing—stalking people, taking pictures of them, and making money.

People often argue that paparazzi have a seemingly useless job, but the irony is that they thrive because there’s a demand for their photos. As one person points out, the cycle continues because people keep buying magazines featuring paparazzi shots. It’s a symbiotic relationship where consumers play a crucial role. While some label paparazzi as the “scum of the earth,” others argue that the real issue lies with those who consume the media they produce.

The paparazzi debate raises questions about the dynamics between supply, demand, and public interest in celebrity culture.

9. Bathroom Attendants

Many people on Reddit argue that bathroom attendants have a job that’s just a tad too hands-on for comfort. Not many of us are hoping somebody will pull the paper towels out of the dispenser for us, just so we can tip them. The sentiment seems to resonate, with stories of overseas encounters bringing to light the annoyance of having a restroom assistant eagerly awaiting your post-bathroom hand-drying experience.

Some, however, view these attendants as similar to bathroom security guards who thwart potential bathroom shenanigans like drug use or doing random rendezvous. The debate over the necessity of bathroom attendants adds a quirky twist to the age-old question of restroom etiquette.

10. Patent Trolls

What these patent trolls do is hoard patents with a cunning game plan—keep them dormant until an unsuspecting creator breathes life into an unwitting infringement. The annoyance comes from these trolls waiting for a big payout chance. People are talking about changing the rules, suggesting that if patent owners don’t act, their patents should be free for everyone. This sparks a big discussion about whether it’s right to hold onto patents without doing anything with them.

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11. Shop Security

Ever wondered why the role of shop security often gets labeled as utterly pointless? In many cases, security guards seem more like spectators than actual crime-stoppers, merely watching events unfold without the ability to intervene.

However, some security guards actually go incognito as store detectives, blending with shoppers to catch thieves red-handed.

Amidst all the skepticism, somebody on Reddit shed light on a different angle. These shop securities’ purpose is to meet insurance and tax requirements.

12. Car Dealerships

In the industry of car dealerships, opinions are divided. Some people argue these places are just middlemen, adding unnecessary steps to the car-buying journey and aiming to squeeze every last dollar. There’s a call for a simpler approach: let buyers get cars directly from the factory. This notion questions the role of dealerships in a world where auto shops can handle repairs and maintenance. It’s like cutting out the middleman, a sentiment that’s applicable not just in car sales but also in real estate and stock trading.

13. Health Insurance Operators

For some people, health insurance is like paying for a safety net that’s full of holes. People express frustration, claiming that these companies, despite being a billion-dollar industry, often hinder rather than help. Critics point out that health insurance can feel like a costly middleman, making things more complex and expensive while lacking substantial medical expertise. Stories circulate about denied coverage for essential medications. It also highlights a system where insurance companies seem to dictate healthcare decisions rather than doctors.

14. Homeopath

Many people raise an eyebrow at the role of homeopaths, particularly in veterinary care. A recent ad for a homeopathic veterinary doctor sparked skepticism, and some people actually feel sympathy for the animals under naturopathic care.

Critics argue that the potential benefits of homeopathy might be limited to the placebo effect. Well, what do you think about its efficacy?

15. Reiki Healer

Besides homeopathy for your pets, there are also Reiki healers, about whose efficacy and scammy nature people argue. Since they operate in “healing energy,” it’s only right to acknowledge that its’s pretty easy to become a scammer in this market. If nothing else, watch out for the ones who are willing to work remotely, sending their healing energy over zoom. That sounds like a pretty obvious no-no to us. 

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16. Middle Management

Some say these roles mainly involve getting orders from above and passing them on. They also end up taking the blame when things go wrong. But it’s not just about giving tasks, there’s also lots of meetings that can make things more complicated. As conversations go on, some argue that it’s crucial to know how management works before criticizing it.

17. Hedge Fund Managers

People think these managers mostly shuffle around money, trying to make more without really helping everyday people. People wonder if the complex strategies and high risks these managers take actually benefit anyone beyond themselves. Some critics say it’s like a game that only a few people really win. As the discussion goes on, many are left wondering if these financial moves really make a difference for the regular people out there.

18. Transportation Security Administration

What do you think of TSA’s? Are they really useless? Some Reddit users argue that while the job might sound crucial, the individuals at the airports often come across as lazy. There’s a debate on whether the job itself truly makes airports safer, with nostalgic sentiments about the times when you could stroll your family to the gate and share a pre-flight lunch. Others point to examples like Ben Gurion airport in Israel, praising its effectiveness and lack of passenger abuse, making some wonder if the TSA’s methods are more about power play than real security.

19. Modern Online Business Coaches

Modern online business coaches often face skepticism, with critics arguing that the insights they provide can be readily found for free on the internet. The contention centers on whether paying for these coaches’ guidance offers unique value or if it’s merely repackaged information. Despite the debate, some defend the role of a good coach, emphasizing the difference between reading theory online and having someone explain concepts step by step.

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20. Walmart Greeters

For some people, Walmart greeters seem a bit unnecessary. They wonder if having someone say hello at the door is really crucial for shopping. With all the self-checkout options and automated systems, having a human greeter might feel like a bit of an old-school touch rather than a vital job in today’s shopping world.