For some, a career isn’t just about doing something that they like or that interests them, it’s also about finding ways to help others and better the world. If you’re looking for a career that isn’t just about bringing a paycheck home, but about changing the world with your education here are a few career paths to consider.
Criminal Justice
Deciding to study criminal justice and maybe even get a masters in criminology can be a great idea for those that like to see justice served and know that they are helping others. When you study criminal justice, depending what career you choose specifically, you can either have the opportunity to help assist victims of crime, or to do things like solve crimes, or maybe even prevent them in the first place. It can also be a good option if you are interested in working with criminals and rehabilitating them, as well. Some careers that you can seek with a degree in criminal justice include that of a police officer, investigator, private detective, correctional officer, parole officer or a probation officer.
Nursing and the Medical Field
If helping people is important to you, and you aren’t easily bothered by blood, one of the best career options for you may be nursing, or another job within the medical field. A job in the medical field can also be great for those who are interested in anatomy, or who simply like working with people. With nursing in particular, you will get many opportunities to meet people from all walks of life, and assist them when they are often feeling their worst. Not only that, but it’s a job where you experience something new every day, so that you will not be likely to feel bored or like you are stagnating at your job. Additionally, it also has good job security, as well. If nursing isn’t quite for you, though, there are plenty of other roles in the medical field that would allow you to help others, like a certified nursing assistant, a home health aide, or an EMT.
Psychology
While some may like the idea of helping to heal the body, others may be more interested in helping heal the mind. If you’re interested in discussing emotions and helping others with the problems that weigh on their mind, the field of psychology may be better suited to you. With this career path, you can become a psychiatrist, a therapist, or a counselor in a variety of different settings. Depending what path you choose, you can help to diagnose serious mental health issues, or do things like help married couples work through their problems together. Similarly to a job in the medical field, you will often be able to meet a wide variety of people and help them through a tough period in their life. Not only will you be able to help them deal with a mental health or emotional issue, but you can know that you’re making a difference in their quality of life and helping give them the tools to make further improvements in their lives, as well.
Education
If you like working with children and watching their minds grow, a job in education could be ideal for you. When you work in education, whether it’s as a kindergarten teacher or a high school instructor, you can help children to learn, grow, and expand their minds and thought processes. Also, what you may do as an educator won’t simply just be about learning things like math or how to spell, teachers also teach their students many important life lessons, help them build self-esteem, and act as a role model as well. Even though you may only spend a short amount of time with students during the day, the reality is that you can have a lasting impact on their development, and could even be a major influence on their life.
If you don’t exactly see yourself being a teacher, that doesn’t mean there aren’t more ways to help others learn. By becoming a librarian you can support the learning and education of a whole community. Also, by becoming an instructor, whether you teach yoga, painting, or something else altogether, you can share your skills with the community while making a difference in other’s lives at the same time.
Social Work
If education isn’t exactly for you, but you would still like to work with people and in particular children who may need help, social work could be the right avenue for you. With social work, you can not only work with others, but others who are truly in need of an advocate, who may not be able to speak up for themselves. Also when you choose social work, you will have the opportunity not only to interact with your community, but to help improve it in a meaningful way. Every day that you go to work as a social worker, you can know that you will make a difference in someone’s life, and that you will be doing your part to help those who are victimized get the justice and help that they deserve.
Some Final Thoughts
For some, a job is just a job, but for others a career where they can assist others and make a difference in the world around them may be more important. If you want to have a career where you can change lives, looking into fields like criminology, nursing, psychology, education and social work could be right for you.
