Imagine waking up every morning with the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities. Worlds away from the traditional career, these unique jobs offer far more than a salary.
Tired of the daily grind? With the right training, you can make more money, change lives and take a step forward in your career. Take a look at the top careers that make a real difference to everyone around you.
1: Nursing
Working in the health care industry is perhaps the easiest way to make a difference at work. The path to become a registered nurse requires an associate degree, bachelor's degree or diploma. Beyond the renewed karma, working as a nurse has real salary benefits; registered nurses earned mean annual wages of $62,480 in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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- Make a difference: All those hours on your feet melt away when you save a child's life or reunite a worried family after a difficult operation.
2: Dentistry
Dentists offer a lot more than free floss. Reducing pain, repairing dental issues and preventing infection means happier patients. With an associate degree, it's possible to become a dental hygienist. The BLS reports that dental hygienists earned mean annual wages of $64,910 in 2007. With a brief certificate program, you could become a dental assistant, earning a mean annual salary of $32,280.
- Make a difference: Turning a potentially painful visit to the dentist into a pleasant experience could make you a hero in your patients' eyes.
3: Physical therapy
Physical therapist assistants earned mean annual wages of $44,340 in 2007, according to the BLS, but the healthy salary isn't the only benefit of the career. An associate degree opens up the possibilities for a career as a physical therapist's assistant. You'll work under the experienced eyes of a licensed physical therapist in a private clinic.
- Make a difference: You can't put a price on helping someone regain the ability to walk or reduce their daily pain.
4: Counseling
With the right training, it's possible to work as a counselor in the marriage and family field, substance abuse, mental health, rehabilitation, school and other fields. In 2007, marriage and family therapists saw mean annual wages of $45,310, according to the BLS. A master's degree is typically required for licensed counselors, though some entry level careers may be possible with a bachelor's degree.
- Make a difference: When your patients have nobody else to turn to, you'll be there. Being the listening ear for a child in need or a marriage in crisis has unlimited benefits.
5: Paralegal
Working as a paralegal is the cure for the boring office job. You'll get to work behind the scenes in a law firm, researching and organizing real cases. An associate degree offers a fast-track to the field, which had workers earning mean annual wages of $47,600 in 2007. With a healthy salary and real growth possibilities in the coming years, this career is an excellent choice for career training.
- Make a difference: Paralegals can offer a warm side to the sometimes-cold legal field. Working as an advocate for families or communities means using your career to affect lasting change.
6: Teaching
Think of all the teachers that made a difference in your life, and you'll have a list of inspiring, interesting people. Join that list with a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate. The BLS reports mean annual wages of $52,450 for secondary school teachers in 2007, a healthy salary that mixes nicely with the rewards of working in this satisfying field.
- Make a difference: Imagine having a classroom full of students interested in your knowledge and life experience.
7: Business
Whether you want to start your own environmental non-profit or open up a green franchise, there are plenty of opportunities to make a difference in the business world. Business degrees are available at every level, from brief certificate programs to the popular M.B.A. degree. Pair your existing skills with a business degree and move forward in your field, or enter an entirely new industry at a higher level.
- Make a difference: Work in a non-profit or a community-oriented business, and you'll have a chance to give back as you earn a healthy salary.
8: Accounting
Put your number-crunching skills to good use with a career in accounting. Fully licensed accountants typically require a bachelor's degree and CPA certification. The BLS reports that accountants and auditors saw mean annual earnings of $63,180 in 2007. That same year, bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks -- who work under the supervision of an accountant -- earned $32,780.
- Make a difference: Keeping businesses legitimate as an accountant gives you the financial power to be an advocate for positive change in your community.
While no career training program can offer a particular career or salary, hiring managers typically prefer or require formal training in the careers above. Degrees and certificates give you the targeted training you need to prove your skills and ability in the field of your choice. With online education, you get the additional benefit of working on your degree on your own time.
