Most people have to work to earn a living, but a well-chosen job can be a lot more rewarding than that. People who love to help others have quite a few career options that can be both remunerative and personally satisfying. A quick look at five especially appropriate choices should make it clear that a passion for helping others can be a valuable professional qualification in its own right.
Many Ways to Help Out While Earning a Paycheck
The modern economy can feel like a cutthroat place where participants always have to look out for themselves. That might make it seem as if helping others while making a living would be out of the question.
Nothing could actually be farther from the truth, in reality. Demand for quite a few types of personal support and assistance has never been higher. Five of the career fields where people who enjoy helping others can count on being employed are:
- Home caregiver. Americans are living longer lives, and that means the average age is rising steadily. Older people quite often reach a stage where they need regular care and even help with everyday domestic chores and routines. Looking beyond the elderly, a large, stable cohort of younger disabled people likewise benefit from care and assistance provided at home. Becoming an at-home caregiver or support worker is a great way to make a positive difference while making a reliable living. There will always be some important tips and principles to be aware of if you’re a caregiver, but many people find this type of work to be especially rewarding, too. As demand for domestic caregivers and support workers is expected to keep rising steeply, few occupations can be said to have brighter futures.
- First responder. From paramedics to firefighters, people who are prepared to respond when emergencies happen to provide some of the most acutely important types of help. First responders of various kinds save lives on a regular basis, and it is hard to imagine a more significant type of service. People who are well-positioned to become first responders tend to not only care about helping others but also be cool under pressure. As such, careers in this large field are not for everyone but can be particularly rewarding for those with the right talents and disposition.
- Grant writer. Many nonprofits rely heavily on grants for the funding they need to pursue their missions. Securing even a single generous grant for such an organization can allow a person to help out in especially momentous ways. Skilled grant writers are able to put together compelling applications that describe how the hoped-for resources will be used. While grant writing can be fairly technical work, many people find that the human element keeps it interesting.
- Social worker. Although they rarely receive much in the way of salary, skilled social workers get to experience the positive impact of their work on a daily basis. Vulnerable people who need support turn to social workers for advice, guidance, and help. Some social workers are able to help entire families escape conditions and overcome challenges that had formerly made them miserable.
- Teacher. Most adults have memories of at least one childhood teacher who inspired and enriched them. Teachers at all levels of education are tasked with helping young people mature and become self-sufficient. Teaching can certainly be difficult work, but it also regularly proves to be some of the most rewarding. If you are interested in educational leadership, and not necessarily being in the classroom, you can get EdD degree information in this guide.
Plenty of Other Rewarding Careers to Consider
These five types of work quite often prove suitable to people who truly care about helping others. Fortunately, there are many other ways to lend a helping hand while also earning a steady paycheck.
