Looking for a Job That Makes a Difference? 3 Rewarding Career Options

Last updated on January 17th, 2025 at 05:49 pm

Are you looking for a job that makes a difference? There are many reasons you feel more fulfilled when you know you’re making a contribution to society. Let’s take a look at three great career options for those looking to do more than just earn a paycheck.

Work takes up a significant part of the day. On average, people spend at least eight hours working every day, so it’s important to like what you do in order to feel happy and content. Of course, different people are suited to different types of work, and everyone has strengths and weaknesses. However, a person’s qualities and characteristics also play a significant role in the type of job they enjoy. 

For those who feel they want to make a difference in their local communities or the wider population, pursuing a career that gives a sense of purpose is vital. In recent times, pay is a major factor in what jobs people choose, but how the position might help others is also a crucial aspect to consider. 

Studies suggest that people who work in jobs that help and support the needs of others feel happier in their careers in the long term – this important element has a positive effect on other parts of a person’s lifestyle. When someone feels happy at work, it shows on the outside – but it also feels good on the inside. After all, what’s not to love about feeling less stressed at work?

With this in mind, choosing a job that makes a difference offers a sense of reward and allows you to give back to the community. However, while these kinds of jobs provide great satisfaction, that’s not to say they aren’t without some drawbacks. For example, if you’re looking for the typical nine-to-five, you might not get it with these careers – but don’t let that put you off. There are many positives to choosing a job that makes a difference, and below are a few options you might want to consider. 

Want a job that makes a difference? Consider these options:

Nurse

If caring for people and tending to their medical needs sounds like a good fit, then a job in nursing is an option. This career choice gives you a sense of purpose and assists the wider community in a variety of ways. 

Depending on your focus, nurses can take on a plethora of healthcare duties; everything from drawing blood for testing and taking observations to prescribing medication and advising on health matters. It’s a diverse and fast-paced occupation, which means no two days are ever the same. However, becoming a nurse does require patience, skill, and compassion alongside other abilities. 

If you’re thinking about pursuing this type of career, you’ll need to study for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, plus pass an exam to become licensed to practice. This typically takes around two to four years and includes clinical practice to ensure you meet the set standards for nursing. 

Alongside the qualifications and license, nurses require a range of other competencies, including all-important nursing soft skills. These are otherwise referred to as qualities and characteristics that people need to do a job well. Many people have these natural attributes, and some can also be worked on to improve your skillset. 

Common examples of soft skills to have for nursing include good communication, self-motivation, time management, and problem-solving. You also need to be a good team player and have the ability to work under pressure as the environment changes frequently. 

Working hours aren’t your typical nine-to-five in a nursing role, either; jobs in nursing usually involve shift work and can also include night-time work. Depending on the type of nursing you want to do, this role may also include visiting patients within their homes or working in a busy hospital environment. This can be fast-paced and ever-evolving, so an aptitude for change and a calm nature is also a bonus. 

All in all, this career offers a great opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives despite being very busy and hands-on in many cases. Even the tiniest of engagements with the public can improve their lifestyle and assist in getting patients back to a healthy lifestyle–which you’ll be at the forefront of as a nurse. There can be a tremendous amount of satisfaction to be derived working in a job that makes a difference so directly. 

Teacher

Most of us can remember our favorite teacher–or maybe several favorites. Be it in a good or bad way, your teachers likely impacted you, which means they undoubtedly influence you as a child and into adulthood. So, if you want to make a direct difference in how well a child performs in school and even impact lives into adulthood, becoming a teacher is a top choice. 

Teachers have a wide role within schools and require skills in a number of areas. The role entail a variety of tasks, and while you teach similar things every day, you’re guaranteed a range of situations to resolve. As the work is multi-faceted and interesting, it suits anyone wanting diversity while making a difference in a child’s education. 

Teaching careers typically involve specializing in the subject you want to teach. However, depending on the grade level you specialize in, this could cover general subjects according to the syllabus. Also, day-to-day teaching usually follows a timetable, and your workload will involve preparing for lessons and teaching everyone in the class.

However, the job of a teacher involves more than just sticking to a set schedule and reading from a book; you need to be able to engage students and make lessons fun. There’s also a requirement to prepare them for tests according to their grade level, and with every child being so different and learning in a unique way, that part can be challenging at times.

In terms of qualifications to become a teacher, you’ll need to start with a degree in education. Teachers should hold at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in the subject that will become their specialty. During this study, you’ll also complete a teacher preparation program, which will give you the best start in practical teaching application.  

Once you’ve graduated, you’ll need some real-world teaching experience. At this point, you can arrange a teaching internship in the subject you wish to teach, which gives you a slice of what it’ll be like in a classroom setting. Plus, you have the chance to chat with other faculty members about their experiences and get advice on the best path to take. 

Before you start the hunt for your new teaching job, you’ll need to pass a teacher licensure test to obtain a license to teach. This differs by state, so check what is required for your new role. Overall, from degree to license, you are investing around four to five years of education to become a great teacher. 

Counselor or Therapist 

Life can be demanding, and there are many situations that can cause trauma, upset, and stress. However, a counselor can help manage these issues and provide coping strategies for a more balanced lifestyle. This rewarding career path is ideal for anyone who wants to help people get back to a healthy mindset and offer ways of dealing with various life challenges. 

Overall, the day-to-day work of a counselor has many facets. For example, counselors listen and encourage individuals seeking help, they empathize with people, and they empower them to work through issues that are causing lifestyle challenges. Generally, the work could span from mental health disorders to those struggling with addiction.

This role, however, isn’t about advising people; instead, it guides them through their emotions to better understand how issues can be resolved. In most cases, you will specialize in a particular area and may work with individuals, groups, and families in clinic settings. 

If this is a potential career path for you, then having a solid education is vital. First, you need a bachelor’s degree, and it’s beneficial to have at least a psychology minor in this area of study. Next, a master’s degree is required as this is typically a prerequisite for becoming a licensed counselor.

For this degree, you need to specialize in a counseling program as it gives you the knowledge and experience you need to be successful in this area. An internship is also part of your education process – this enables you to gain practical experience in interviewing and observation techniques to refine your skills.

Once you’ve graduated, it’s then on to obtaining your license to practice. Most states require you to take a test and hold a minimum number of hours of practical experience (usually between 2000 and 4000 hours) before starting your career. In most cases, you’ll gain this through the National Board for Certified Counsellors (NBCC). 

The day-to-day schedule of a counselor typically aligns with regular office hours, though some settings may require on-call duties or shift work. While the path to becoming a counselor—spanning education, internships, and licensure—can take several years, it is a career that offers a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

If you’re considering career as a counselor or therapist and want to explore flexible work opportunities, platforms like BetterHelp are worth looking into. More and more counselors are joining these kinds of platforms as a way to connect with individuals seeking support.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a job that makes a difference in the world, one of these may be the right choice for you. There are so many more opportunities out there, depending on the type of help you want to give; everything from climate research to renewable energy positions and fitness instructors to nutritionists also come under the umbrella of helping people. The world really is your oyster if you want to enjoy the benefits of purpose in your career.  

Also read:
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