It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that work is all about money. However, what you do with your career can have more impact than simply allowing you to pay your bills. Nearly every talent, aptitude, and trade can be parlayed toward the greater good, not just a bigger bank account. If you’re a compassionate, kind person, there’s a great job fit out there, just waiting for you to find it.
1. Serve as an Advocate for the Vulnerable
The most vulnerable among us need advocates, and if you empathize with a societal need, consider a career of service. Social work is one of the first career paths that may come to mind in terms of advocating for the vulnerable. In public and private sector social work, professionals serve individuals in need of support.
Child services, elder services, and juvenile services provide a blend of administrative, counseling, and advocacy support for clients. Oftentimes, a course of study in social work can be the jumping-off point for additional career opportunities. Many employers in this field prefer or even require a master’s degree for social work, but they may also pay for it. Consider this career path as a way to grow your knowledge and experience with employer support.
Some advocates for the vulnerable may be called to enhance their knowledge and their ability to serve in other ways. Individuals with social work experience may transition into the legal field, thanks to the on-the-job exposure to systemic issues. In elder care situations, abuse is distressingly common, and nursing home abuse attorneys are needed to protect seniors. Providing legal support to children in foster care and facilitating their potential adoption may be compelling for others. No matter the population you wish to serve, consider the layers of possibility in an advocacy-based career.
2. Educate Students in Need of Extra Care
The nationwide teacher shortage continues to grow, leaving more students at risk of receiving a substandard education. And the problems aren’t limited to suboptimal teacher-to-student ratios, either.
Rural communities face challenges in recruiting qualified teachers for economic and perceived quality-of-life reasons. However, rural students are just as deserving as those in other areas of the country. If you’re an educator, consider widening your job pool to include opportunities in small communities. Some towns are working with economic development agencies to spark growth by offering incentives for new residents. Look at communities with natural amenities, proximity to attractions, and opportunities to make a big impact.
In these communities and others, students with special needs continue to be at risk. Whether a student requires additional learning support, has a disability, or faces a language barrier, they deserve teachers who can help them. Look at specializations that broaden your skills and your ability to serve these students along their unique learning journey.
Other individuals in challenging situations need education, too. Juveniles in the prison system may be serving time for their transgressions, but their rehabilitation largely depends on having job-worthy skills. Frequently, reentry programs require significant proof of knowledge, trustworthiness, and reliability, which are hard to gain while incarcerated. If you’re a skilled tradesperson, you can provide an opportunity for at-risk youth through juvenile education.
3. Fill the Ever-Growing Gap in Mental Health Treatment
One of the most prevalent conversations in healthcare today revolves around mental health. While there’s an existing gap in treatment resources, it’s expected to grow as more patients pursue care for their mental health. Currently, patients often have to wait months for appointments, which can be detrimental to their long-term mental wellness.
Look into career paths that allow you to serve the mental health needs of individuals, families, and even workplaces. Psychiatry and therapy provide patients with a personalized approach to their mental wellness. As a therapist, you can assist those working through grief, help reduce the suicide epidemic, and increase mental wellness overall.
Mental health providers might work in a traditional therapy setting, provide online counseling, or engage with companies to support their teams. For highly stressful roles, some employers offer extra mental healthcare to their employees, helping them process the traumas they experience on the job.
Addiction therapy is another area where compassionate counselors are needed. You could work with individuals, couples, and families to battle substance abuse and help them support one another. Spouses and family members are often left out of the therapy cycle, but with more counselors available, they wouldn’t be.
4. Provide Healthcare to Underserved Communities
There’s increasing demand for healthcare workers across the country, but there are pockets with especially concerning gaps. Major metropolitan areas often have an overwhelming amount of patients without insurance but in need of care. Working in healthcare administration and patient advocacy can help connect people to resources that will improve their lives.
Meanwhile, the rural maternal healthcare gap continues to grow, leaving communities without essential infrastructure. Hospitals are closing maternity wards, leaving mothers and babies at risk. Obstetricians and nurses willing to work in smaller communities can make a big impact on the lives of their new friends and neighbors. For low-risk patients, midwives are another resource that can help address the maternal health deficits in rural areas.
Consider pairing your passion for serving people with an open mind as to where you do so. Look at the areas of greatest need, and you’ll make a major impact on a community’s health.
Using Your Talents for the Greater Good
Work is part of life, and your career path determines your ability to work with purpose. Take time to reflect on your values and consider your true calling. You owe it to yourself to dedicate your career to a need that feels like an opportunity, not a chore. When you do, you can use your talents to advance the greater good.
