Who says your job has to be meaningless? With the right education, you can work your way into a position that offers daily inspiration and rewards. In work as in love, don't settle for less than you deserve. Train for a career that has you pursuing one of your lifelong loves.
Career training for lifelong loves
Break free of the boring career cycle with a job that draws from your natural strengths and interests. You can love what you do and make a healthy salary doing it. Check out some of the best careers for following your dreams, with salary info from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Lifelong love: Helping people
If your idea of a satisfying career means giving back to your community, consider training for one of these engaging jobs. A simple degree or certificate program could be all that stands between you and a job that will sweep you off your feet.
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- Career: Nursing
- From emergency rooms to private clinics, nurses are in demand across the nation. A career in nursing can be had with an associate degree, bachelor's degree or a diploma from an accredited source. Registered nurses earned mean annual wages of $62,480 in 2007.
- Career: Counseling
- Use your natural empathy to help others work through crisis and transition as a counselor. Most counseling careers require a master's degree, though some assistant work could require less. The salary is another reward for your skill. In 2007, school counselors saw mean annual earnings of $51,690.
Lifelong love: Healthy finances
There's nothing wrong with loving a paycheck if it means less daily stress and a more secure life for you and your family. Careers in business and finance offer rewards to those who can think on their feet. With training in the financial sector, you build a foundation of fiscal stability.
- Career: Accounting
- Keep corporations accountable with this challenging career. A bachelor's degree in accounting is generally required, though you could work as a clerk with an associate degree or, in some cases, a certificate. Accountants saw mean annual wages of $63,180 in 2007, while their clerks earned $32,780.
- Career: Finance
- Work with other people's money while you feed your own bank account. A bachelor's degree may be sufficient for financial managers if you have years of work experience, but hiring managers often look for an M.B.A. degree or similar. Financial managers earned $106,200 in 2007.
Lifelong love: Technology
Do you always need to have the latest gadget? Do you keep up with technology news even when you're not in the industry? Earn your degree or certificate and you may find yourself designing, creating and monitoring the high-tech gizmos you love.
- Career: Computer support
- Puzzle out computer problems over the phone or in-person with a support job. Training varies but could mean an associate degree or certificate, depending on your intended level of specialization. Computer support specialists earned mean annual wages of $45,300 in 2007.
- Career: Engineering
- A mind for design and development pairs with technical training in the engineering field. An associate degree could land you a career as an engineering technician, but you'll need a bachelor's degree to become a fully licensed engineer. In 2007, electrical engineers saw mean annual wages of $82,090.
Lifelong love: Artistic pursuits
If you're the creative type, you might feel a little stifled by the typical day job. You might be surprised at the possibilities available to those with the proper artistic training. Break out of the cubicle with an education that allows you to combine your artistic ability with a lucrative career.
- Career: Graphic design
- Combine your artistic ability and technical knowledge with a career in graphic design. A bachelor's degree is required for most jobs, though entry level technical positions may only require an associate degree. Graphic designers earned mean annual wages of $45,340 in 2007.
- Career: Fashion design
- Your passion for style can translate into big earnings with the right training. An education in fashion could mean focusing on design, merchandising or marketing. A healthy salary is always in style: Fashion designers saw mean annual earnings of $71,170 in 2007.
Lifelong love: Future generations
For you, a career is meaningless unless it does something to better future generations. Working in education means dedicating your daily life to the betterment of others. Take your nurturing side to work by training to work with children and young adults.
- Career: Teaching
- Do your homework, and you'll find that teaching is a satisfying career with big long-term benefits. Earn your bachelor's degree plus certification to teach at the elementary level and above. Elementary school teachers earned mean annual wages of $50,040 in 2007, while preschool teachers earned $25,800.
- Career: Child care
- Work with young children during an essential stage of their developmental lives. A brief certificate program could be all you need to work in an exclusive child care center. Child care workers earned mean annual wages of $19,670 in 2007.
While no educational program can guarantee you the career and salary you love, formal training for the above careers is generally preferred or required by employers. Use your years in school to earn a job you love, and you'll spend a lifetime enjoying your days at work.
