A recent study found the average person spends one-third of their life at work. This equates to around 90,000 hours worked over a lifetime. Sadly, many people are unhappy at work and report low levels of job satisfaction. Being unhappy in your employment can harm your physical and mental health and reduce your quality of life.
Keep in mind that your job should provide more than just a monthly salary. You should pursue a career that you will enjoy and choose a role that will give you long-term satisfaction. Take the time to explore different careers and choose a role that is matched to your skills, interests, and lifestyle. To give you some ideas, here are a few of the most rewarding career paths to consider.
Registered Nurse
Nursing is considered by many to be one of the most rewarding careers. Nurses are highly skilled healthcare professionals who care for patients who are sick or injured. Nurses have many responsibilities, but some of their key duties include checking vital signs, updating medical records, administering medication, and communicating treatment plans with patients and their families.
Nurses play an essential role in the healthcare system and help people in a significant way. Supporting severely ill patients and seeing them make a full recovery gives nurses a great sense of pride and fulfillment. This means that nurses typically enjoy a long and satisfying career. On top of high job satisfaction, registered nurses also enjoy various other benefits including an attractive salary and a fantastic career outlook. According to data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses earn a good annual salary of around $73,000 per year.
There is a high demand for qualified nurses all around the world. This means registered nurses typically have plenty of job opportunities available to them and rarely struggle to secure employment. Nursing can offer a highly rewarding career, but it can also be demanding and emotionally draining. If you are interested in training to become a nurse, then make sure you do lots of career research and gain a realistic understanding of what the role will involve. For example, Google how many hours does a family nurse practitioner work and read about the working conditions, routes to qualification, and so on.
Teacher
Teachers are responsible for educating the next generation of learners and teaching them important life skills that will help them transition into successful adults. Working in the education sector is rewarding as you will play a key role in shaping the next generation. You will also support students and help them achieve their academic and personal goals. Teachers can choose to specialize in various areas of education including elementary schools, secondary schools, and colleges. A qualified teacher can also choose to specialize in special education and support students with a wide range of additional needs including physical and mental disabilities.
According to specialeducareers.com, “being a special education teacher is an extremely rewarding job. You will make a daily impact and form meaningful relationships with students and their families.” To become a teacher, you must complete a bachelor’s in education or a related topic along with a specific number of placement hours. Some states also require graduate teachers to complete additional tests before granting licensure.
Surgeon
The role of a surgeon is demanding but it can also be extremely rewarding. Surgeons are highly skilled medical professionals who perform life-saving surgery on patients. Surgeons have a lot of responsibility and must make important decisions relating to a patient’s health and welfare.
Surgeons earn high compensation for their work and their wages are amongst the highest for all occupations. A certified surgeon can expect to earn an impressive salary of almost $210,000 per year, according to BLS. Surgeons also typically receive employment benefits such as generous vacation allowances and retirement packages. Becoming a surgeon is an attractive career path for people interested in working in the medical field.
That said, the route to becoming a certified surgeon requires several years of demanding training. Typically, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree and a four-year degree from an accredited medical school. You would then need to complete a residency program lasting between four and seven years, depending on your chosen specialization. With that in mind, aspiring surgeons must be truly passionate about the role and committed to completing the required training and qualifications.
Carer
Carers support people with their daily activities and help them lead safe, happy, and fulfilled lives. Home care can be a fantastic alternative to residential care as it enables people to remain living in the place where they feel most comfortable — their home. Often, carers are called upon to assist seniors who reach an age when they struggle to complete their daily routines safely and independently. A visiting carer can assist a person with various daily tasks including cooking, personal care, household chores, administering medication, and running errands. They can also provide a valuable source of companionship and socialization for elderly people who live alone or are unable to get out of the house often.
Being a carer is rewarding as you will have a positive impact on the lives of others and provide valuable support to those in need. You will also have the opportunity to build a close bond with the person you are caring for. The demand for home carers is increasing due to an aging population. More people are choosing to remain living at home in their later years, which means there is a higher need for qualified home carers. You may be able to secure a caregiving position with a high school diploma or GED, although some organizations prefer applicants to have a higher qualification related to caregiving, i.e. a bachelor’s in social care or a caregiver certification.
Firefighter
Firefighters attend emergencies and help people in crises. The role is diverse and may involve extinguishing fires, rescuing people who are trapped in buildings or vehicles, and operating specialist equipment and tools. Being a firefighter is physically and emotionally challenging, but it can also be extremely rewarding.
Career Trend explains how “having the opportunity to save someone’s life or assist them in a time in need is the ultimate reward.” Firefighters are also required to maintain good fitness levels and the role requires high levels of physical activity. Most people find this more rewarding than a sedentary job that requires sitting behind a desk all day.
Another perk of becoming a firefighter is that you are likely to receive workplace benefits like credit union memberships, private retirement schemes, and disability. To become a firefighter, you must complete a training program at a fire academy and graduate with a passing score. You will also need to pass various physical and psychological tests before being able to apply for a job as a firefighter.
HR manager
HR managers are responsible for overseeing the hiring and administrative processes of an organization. They also act as a link between the management team and their staff. Being an HR manager is rewarding as you will have the opportunity to create a happy, fair, and efficient workplace for others. You will also be responsible for settling employee disputes and advocating equality in the workplace.
In a recent employment study, HR professionals reported some of the highest levels of happiness across all occupations. On top of job satisfaction, HR managers also benefit from a high base salary and plenty of opportunities for career advancement. HR managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience working in the field of HR before applying for managerial positions. Some HR professionals also earn a master’s in human resources management to gain a competitive edge and improve their career outlook.
Dentist
Dentists help people by diagnosing and treating various dental issues including cavities, erosion, and gum disease. They also provide patients with valuable advice on how to develop healthy dental habits and improve their oral hygiene. Dentists are in high demand and earn a high annual salary of almost $160,000. Those hoping to become a dentist must be prepared to work hard and invest in their education to achieve certification. It typically takes eight years to become a fully qualified dentist. The training involves a four-year bachelor’s degree followed by a four-year program at an accredited dental school.
Conclusion
Most people need to work throughout the majority of their adult years. You will likely spend a significant amount of time at work, so it’s important to get enjoyment and fulfillment from your job role. Choosing a rewarding career will give you a sense of purpose and improve your overall quality of life. Going to work shouldn’t be something that you dread, especially when there are so many exciting career paths to choose from. Above are a few rewarding career paths to consider but remember that there are lots of more satisfying roles on offer across a wide range of industries. Take the time to research different jobs and pick a career path that suits you.
2018 ·