Making a career out of helping others not only makes the world a better place, but it has been linked to making the “helper” a happier person, according to the G.O. Community Development Corporation.
Research from 2017 found that there may even be a biochemical reason why our brains enjoy helping others. The research suggested that two parts of the brain that are responsible for happiness and personal reward are activated during charitable donations.
We all desire to make an impact on the world. For many of us, this leads to a desire to make a career out of helping others. Check out these five jobs for caring people:
1) Medical Secretary
If we desire to help people but are a bit squeamish, then working in a medical office could be ideal for us. Completing a medical secretary program can take as little as nine months (as long as we have transcripts verifying a high school diploma or the equivalent). These types of programs will teach us the medical terminology, medical billing procedures, doctor’s office procedures, and much more to prepare for a career as a medical receptionist.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assistances made a median annual pay of $33,610 in 2018. Considering the short education and the fact that a lot of these jobs are entry-level positions; this could be a wise career move, financially.
2) Work in Audiology
Working in a hearing clinic helping people regain the ability to hear the glorious sounds of a loved one’s voice, the birds chirping, the wind blowing, and their favorite music can be incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s becoming an audiologist, becoming an assistant to an audiologist, becoming a hearing aid specialist, or a hearing screener; we will be part of the process of offering vital hearing services such as:
· Hearing tests
· Screening for hearing loss, balance disorders, and dizziness
· Providing hearing aids
· Providing relief from conditions like tinnitus
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, people working in audiology work a flexible schedule (generally 40-50 hours per week) and the need for audiologists continues to grow.
3) Speech and Language Pathologist
A person who has a deep desire to assist in treatment and recovery, but also has a great level of patience should consider a career in Speech and Language Pathology. In this field, we will meet many frustrated people dealing with issues involving speech, communication, swallowing difficulties, and, in some cases, even instances of aphasia (an inability to express speech caused by brain damage). Some Speech and Language Pathologists may decide to work solely with youth providing intervention services in the form of speech therapy for developmentally delayed children.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay of a Speech and Language Pathologist in 2018 was $77,510 and the number of jobs is expected to go up by 27 percent between 2018 and 2028.
4) Psychologist
A career providing therapy services may be the best fit for people who desire to spend their days in treatment sessions, conducting research to provide the best patient care, and discussing serious issues in appointments covering everything from death and unhappiness to struggles with sexual orientation.
According to the CDC, in 2015, one in five Americans over the age of 18 had a mental illness, 1 in 25 adults has a “serious mental illness”, and 1 in 5 children had “a seriously debilitating mental disorder”. More and more people not only need help with their physical health, but they also need help with their mental health. Becoming a Psychologist is a great way to do this.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for a Psychologist in 2018 was $79,010 and the number of jobs is expected to go up by 14 percent between 2018 and 2028, which isn’t too surprising considering how many people are suffering from mental health issues in America.
5) Social Worker
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social Workers work in a variety of environments trying to help people with struggles in their everyday lives. They find people and communities in need of help and try to find the best solutions to their problems based on their individual needs.
Social Workers made a median annual salary of $49,470 in 2018 and the number of jobs is expected to increase by 11 percent between 2018 and 2028, according to the BLS. For people who desire to help people through advocacy and aid in government assistance services, this could be the career for them.
