Pursuing Jobs That Help People
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A few obvious goals come to mind when imagining a dream job. A salary that matches financial aspirations, maybe a flexible schedule that allows for the ideal work-life balance, and responsibilities that don’t make you die a little bit on the inside with each passing day. A less obvious qualification for a dream job, but one that is bound to make the hugest impact, is the added reward that only the best careers can bring to your personal life, the people and communities around you, and the world itself.
This isn’t a ploy for job-seekers to join the Peace Corps or employees to donate their hard-earned wages to charities in need (nor a dis for those who do). This is simply an opportunity to highlight some careers where your day-in and day-out are directly tied to helping others. If you’re a professional whose purpose and drive can’t be fulfilled by the mundane and expected, then check out these career paths where you can help others and make money.
Jobs helping people
It may be generalized that careers that help people are reserved for the medical and health care industry, or maybe even law enforcement. For instance, when we think of a career in helping others, the most popular and first that come to mind are probably:
- Doctors & nurses
- Police officers, EMTs, or other first responders
- Therapists, counselors, and educators
Honestly, the list could go on and on. But the truth is, there are so many more job options for those considering careers in helping others.
Dietitians & Nutritionists
Some of the most satisfying jobs involve a long-term ripple effect on the wellness of others. Depending on how far you want to take your studies and where you want to lend your expertise across the states, either of these roles is an excellent option for those who want to bring guidance on dietary balance and health to the clients and organizations they work with.
This career path has a median salary of just over $61k and a projected growth of 11% from 2020 to 2030. Most within this field have at minimum a bachelor’s degree, a prolonged period of supervised training, and are licensed or at the very least certified specialists.
Dominating skills and qualities in this health-focused role include compassion and communication for handling patients with care and clarity. Problem-solving and analytical skills are also vital for this profession for pinpointing areas for improved health when diagnosing or offering solutions.
Fitness Trainers
Health, fitness, and motivation to get those gains is a workout only a fitness trainer can be paid to perform. This profession may not need a bachelor’s degree to get started, but an associate’s degree in related fields is definitely helpful for those looking to get a leg up on their competition.
The median annual wage for fitness trainers, whether working privately or with an organization, is about $40k, while the highest percentile earned over $75k. Depending on where you start, certification may not be a requirement upon employment, but most employers will expect certification in the area of focus at some point in your career with them. There are specialized fields for fitness trainers and instructors, so job-seekers have options in terms of which area of expertise best suits their liking. Some popular options include:
- Strength and Conditioning
- Yoga
- Weight Management
- Youth or Senior Fitness
Because a key role of a trainer is to keep their clients’ morale up while meeting their fitness goals, these professionals must have a strong mindset, great customer service skills, and the ability to motivate individuals no matter the circumstances.
Recruiters
Not to be biased, but the most rewarding careers are those that positively impact the livelihoods of other professionals in the workforce. Those on the recruiter career path are responsible for matching key players with key job opportunities. The ideal positions aren’t always advertised on the market, and not all job-seekers are openly looking. If you’re looking for a lucrative career in helping others, gpac is worth looking into.
An average base salary for recruiters, according to Indeed, is about $50k, while gpac is ranked the top company for recruiter incomes in the US. And not to toot the horn, but gpac makes it easy to become a recruiter without experience with their beginner bootcamps and consistent on-the-job training and support.
The importance of culture in the workforce is echoed in over 700 gpac recruiter home offices, as it’s almost become a “perk” requirement for making successful matches between candidates and clients. If you want to be part of a business that helps other businesses, helps people find jobs, and ultimately helps professionals grow, then bring your passion and people skills to gpac.
Social & community service managers
The bigger picture of community health, safety, and growth takes organization and attention to detail. Professionals who take up the mantle for causes within the communities they’re rooted in will definitely argue that theirs is the most fulfilling job.
With a bachelor’s degree in social work or related subjects, and maybe even a master’s, depending on the location and level of managerial experience needed, this role is filled by diligent individuals who prioritize the needs of others. There’s an average of 18,300 projected openings for social and community service managers each year, and though money isn’t the focus for those in this career, the average salary is a generous $74k.
This is often overlooked in comparison to other jobs that help people. And interestingly enough, this role faces some of the same challenges as the more common service roles, especially when it comes to supporting the public’s well-being. Being a career that demands countless hours of selflessness, there will always be a need for responsible and good-hearted people to manage the upkeep of their communities.
Interpreters & Translators
The way people around the world use language and communication is everything when it comes to helping others. This career path sometimes slips under the radar but is heavily relied upon across every industry and in every location.
The services of interpreters are called upon in schools, international conferences, hospitals, and a number of other environments for both private and public use. Translators, on the other hand, mostly work in offices or remotely with a variety of materials to convert into requested languages.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 24% employment growth within the next decade with a demand for professionals fluent in French, German, and Portuguese (among others) since they are some of the most frequently translated languages. Proficiency in at least two languages and a bachelor’s in foreign language or communications is worth pursuing for anyone interested in either of the two roles.
Jobs that help people are not hard to come by. And there are plenty of side-hustles and volunteer opportunities to test out before dedicating an entire career path to any of those listed above or any others you may be considering. If extra guidance is needed on your job search or you’re ready to make a career change, a gpac recruiter is just a phone call away.
Contributed by Mary Dominguez
