Find a career is one of the biggest decisions of your life, and most people just take what they can get that pays the most. But what if you want a career that does more than just raking in the cash? What if you want a career that actually gives back? Don’t worry, there are plenty of careers out there for you. However, we’ve put together a list of the careers that we feel give back a little more than the rest. Here are our top 5 picks for careers that help you give back and lift up!
Adoption Case Manager
Stories of children who don’t have a family pull at everyone’s heartstrings, but not a lot of people have the ability to do anything about it. If you want to help these children, working on adoption cases is one of the best ways to make a difference. You help place these children with a family who loves them and wants to keep them forever. Your job is to focus on the children, which is rewarding in so many ways. With your help, fewer children need to go to bed wondering if they’ll ever have a ‘real’ family. Fewer parents will be wondering why they don’t deserve children.
Emergency Responder
Maybe you want to have a direct hand in improving people’s lives every day? Then consider becoming an EMT, firefighter, or police officer. With a career as an emergency responder, you will be providing care, protecting others, and literally saving lives. Though these may be difficult careers, they provide the kind of differences to others that will last a lifetime. However, this job requires a strong constitution. While you get to help others, you will be encountering them in some of their darkest and scariest moments. While they may be grateful for your help, they probably wish it wasn’t necessary. These jobs will require your compassion while maintaining a thick skin.
Senior Life Enrichment Coordinator
Does your passion lie in making someone’s golden years a little brighter? If you’re fun, creative, caring, understanding, and full of life, then being a senior life enrichment coordinator may be just the career for you. Enjoy your career planning fun trips and activities for seniors who are living in assisted centers, as well as tending to every individual’s different needs. You can make every day better and create new memories for those who need a little extra help in their retirement years.
Crisis Counselor
Perhaps you want to help turn someone’s life around when they’re at their lowest and feel that they have nothing left? Though this career takes a lot of commitment and strength, it’s a very rewarding path. When you choose a career as a crisis counselor, you give much-needed support to people who have found themselves in devastating situations. Whether they’re suffering from an unexpected death in the family or from losing everything due to a natural disaster, you can help others find the strength to carry on and rebuild.
Teaching Special Education
Are you patient, understanding, able to motivate those around you, and accepting of differences? Then consider a career in special education. Teaching children who have mental, emotional, or physical differences can be one of the most rewarding careers. It not only offers a lifetime of fulfillment and meaning for you but for those that you work with. Having a great teacher can make all the difference in the world, especially for children who are at a disadvantage. Your role as their teacher will help shape their lives into something more than it would have been otherwise.
There are a variety of opportunities to give back and you don’t have to compromise your earning potential to do so. While some of them might not be the most glamorous jobs, there is the satisfaction that will help you enjoy your job. To make sure you end up where you want to be, make sure you seek support from counselors while you are still in school. Even online programs offer personalized support to help you achieve your goals.