Hmm I realize the timing on this may be off. With the push for 1.0 and all the new visual additions and all, but I thought I would offer it up!
I have only been playing for a short time. However, I have already been enjoying the game and look forward to what is coming next.
From what I can tell there are a few specializations within the game. Considering the MMO style, this is cool and makes sense. The ways you specialize can feel like your own unique class.
When I imagine a class, I think of a perk that would go along with it. An ability that those of that specialization receive. Below are a few of my thoughts on ways to reward someone who is choosing to specialize.
I think there are a few different specialties that I can tell:
Hunter, Builder, Gatherer, Crafter
Builders: My #1 suggestion! Blueprints!! Please 
Blueprints would be an item craftable and sellable by Builder specialists and would allow a chunk that you own to be copied and saved on the blueprint. What size a blueprint could capture is up to you.
Once a blueprint was created the Builder could then sell that build! Have an amazing idea for a treehouse? Cool! Build it! Want others to use it too, copy it and sell it at the market.
A blueprint would function like a machine.
I buy the blueprint, take it to my claimed chunk I want it, I set it down in that chunk. The blueprint is there on a table, and I have to interact with it and provide it with the blocks it needs to build the build.
Once the blocks are provided and I select build, the chunks becomes unavailable for a time while it ‘builds’ and then boom! I got a copy of that build! YAY
There are so many amazing builders in this game…how awesome to have them be architects for the game. Jim is a great builder! But you will only see his build if you go to his area…but with blueprints, his shop can be impacting the game. You could be walking around a random planet and see Jim’s builds being used by other players as their base, or as their shop!
OH BUT THERE IS MORE!
Do you want to create a city, but want it to stick to a theme? Using blueprints you can create templates for people to follow so that they know what base structure they need to add to your build! Keep the theme alive and also provide them a template to follow for building in your area!
I have wanted Blue Prints in games like this for a long time. In a game based on creativity and building, I have always wondered why they are not already an item that exists. Builders are more then just builders, they influence the builds of those around them! They create images/designs that others want to use and have it is a commodity that would be hot on the market! Yay! Builders earning coins for their cool creations!
Crafter- The perk feels built into the game. Bulk Crafting. I think this is already there. If you are a Crafter, being able to build more for less makes sense.
Hunter: I had a few thoughts on hunters. Just listed them below as options.
Better Tracking - Compass could limit to certain types of monsters vs just showing all monsters around. Hunter could pick a type of monster and only see that type on his compass for targeted hunting.
Fetish’ (rawr) wink - Haha, Since loot is player specific, it would be cool if hunters could have fetish’s drop…okay, maybe a bad word for it…but the idea would be that these items can be crafted into a charm/tool that the Hunter could use to summon a stronger version of the monster it comes from. The stronger version would have better loot drops (maybe a couple % points) but would be fun group activities or solo fights for the hunter (depending on the difficulty). Fetish’s would be planet and monster specific (would all smart stack). It would make a fun mini-game within the game that had a fun payout.
Gatherers: Like with Crafters, I think Gathers should have a chance to get more for less. Would be cool if gathers had a chance to proc an additional drop from items they mine/gather.
Just some thoughts thanks for taking the time to read up to here! <3
Tagris
