Unless you happen to be independently wealthy, you’ll need a job to live. Luckily, there are thousands of options out there, and not all of them are soul-destroying. Some have a positive impact on society while also providing a good income and plenty of opportunities for growth.
People who work in a meaningful role tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction compared to those who do not. And that can count for a lot, especially since we spend so much time at work. If you’re looking to make a change into a career that has a positive impact, then this page is for you. Below, we’ll run through a host of options that can serve as inspiration.
Teaching
Do you have a knack for communicating ideas? Then teaching might just be the perfect option for you. While many people think that teaching involves working in a school environment, that’s not necessarily the case. It also encompasses higher education institutions and corporate environments. While working hours can be long, teachers usually report good levels of job satisfaction, and there are also plenty of opportunities to grow and develop, including working overseas.
Healthcare Roles
Healthcare has long been regarded as one of the most respected industries on the planet, and that’s no surprise. When you work in healthcare, you’ll be helping people when they’re going through some of the worst moments in their lives. Healthcare roles aren’t just meaningful and impactful, either — they’re also high in demand. For instance, did you know that eight of the top ten growing jobs are just other ways of saying ‘nurse’? Study to work in the healthcare sector today, and you should have no trouble finding a role once you graduate. And it’ll be a role that society very much values.
Mental Health Help
There’s been a growing number of people experiencing mental health difficulties in recent years, and that’s led to greater demand for mental health professionals. Some of the most in-demand psychology degree jobs are ones that help people struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, and other common mental health conditions. By training for these roles, you’ll be doing your part to help tackle the rising mental health crisis. According to WHO, depression is on course to become the world’s number one illness by 2030, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you love nothing more than the thought of helping people to overcome their mental health challenges, then consider working in the field.
Firefighting
Sometimes, the people we idolize in childhood turn out to be not quite so heroic when we reach adulthood. But firefighters are different. They’re valued by everyone in society, and with good reason — their sole job, like healthcare professionals, is to help people going through life-threatening situations. Becoming a firefighter isn’t for everyone. You’ll need to be strong, brave, and selfless. If that sounds like you, then work on making your dream a reality. Once you’re qualified and in a role, you’ll have a tremendous capacity to help people every single day.
Political Roles
People tend to have a low opinion of politicians, but the truth is that most politicians get into the profession because they want to have a positive impact on the world. If you’re good at getting along with others, then working at a local government level may suit your skill set. Many people think that it’s what happens at the top level of politics that has the biggest influence, but in terms of day-to-day life, it’s actually what happens at a local level that counts.
Not that you necessarily need to be a candidate directly to have an impact. You can also consider working for a politician or as part of the civil service.
Environmental Research
Everyone knows that something has to be done to prevent the main effects of climate change, but no one knows exactly what should be done. Moving forward, there’ll be growing importance placed on environmental researchers, who will help to get an even deeper understanding of the effects — and potentially come up with ideas on how to prevent such issues. If you have a long-standing affection for the natural world, then look at working in this sector. It’s a broad field that can encompass many different roles, including data gathering and climate engineering.
Lawyer
Lawyers have a huge impact on the world, and not always in a positive way. But you can trust that for every positive step that has been taken in recent decades, there has been a long list of lawyers who have helped to make it a reality. There’s no shortage of sectors in which you could make a huge difference. For example, immigration lawyers usually have a tremendously positive impact on the lives of individuals.
Artist
You could argue that artists have the biggest impact on the world. After all, everyone’s seen a movie, heard a song, or viewed a work of art that has transformed their lives. If nothing else, artists make life worth living. Of course, it’s not easy to make a living as an artist. Most artists don’t decide to do it for a living because of the financial benefits of doing so — they do it because they love it. Still, if you can commit to your craft and people like it, then you may be able to make it your primary source of income.
Rehabilitation
Some people need more help than others to be the best versions of themselves. If you love helping people overcome their challenges, then consider working in a role that helps with the rehabilitation of individuals. This is a broad sector that may include helping people with substance abuse issues or physical injuries. You’ll need to undergo a training process and get experience before you help others, but once you have, you’ll have a deeply rewarding role that has a huge impact on an individual’s life.
There’s more than one way to choose a profession. For high levels of job and life satisfaction, choose one that helps others.
