Five Feel Good Careers
Our society has been hit hard by this recession. The financial ramifications have been felt globally but the moral effects have been less documented. The recession exposed levels of corruption in almost every institution. While economics and ethics rarely go hand in hand the market crash has lead to a renewed demand for honesty in business. Spurning the techniques of their 80’s predecessors, techniques that lead to the boom of the 90’s, students now find pursuing a career for mere financial gain is contrived and ultimately unfulfilling. Undoubtedly careers in finance, business and government still attract a substantial number of genuinely interested graduates but increasingly, students are turning their attention towards careers that offert them an emotional, as well as financial return.
Day Care or Early Learning Teacher
Elementary or nursery school teachers are responsible for facilitating the first transition a child makes from home into the education system. These formative years are highly important in a child’s social and intellectual development. Early learning teachers play an important role in easing a child into this new stage of their life and, since children spend the majority of their day in school, it is important that they connect with their teacher. The early learning model relies on play and gentle learning and so teachers can bond with their students.
Average wages for pre-school and elementary school teachers begin from around $45,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that job prospects will be favorable and the demand for jobs will grow about 12%. For early learning teachers introducing and preparing young children for their school careers is an extremely rewarding achievement.
Hospital nurses work to carry out the medical regimen and remedies that are prescribed by the physicians. Nurses generally have more patient interaction and advise patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury. Hospital nurses are generally assigned to one particular area of the hospital—maternity, pediatrics, emergency, oncology, etc—but can often rotate among the different department.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 23 percent from 2006 to 2016. Average yearly wages generally start from $50,000. Nurses are allowed the opportunity to communicate with their patients on a level that physicians can, due to time restraints, cannot. Nurses can specialize in pediatrics or other areas.
This industry is highly in demand. Human Resources specialists are responsible for the needs of a company’s employees. They are involved in the entire hiring process, from interviews to training, and act as a liaison between management and employees. Human Resource specialists are important as they are concerned with keeping both employees and managers satisfied.
In 2006 there were approximately 868,000 jobs in human resources in the United States, with approximately 9 out of 10 jobs in the private sector. The U.S. government employed 13% of all human resources managers and specialists. Between 2006 and 2016 this field is expected to grow by 17%. Human Resources specialists are expected to engage with employees. They take upon themselves any problems an employee may have and attempt to rectify them.
Ultrasound and sonogram technicians operate the sonogram machine, observe the patient, process the film and make initial reports. Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers are involved with female patients. They are highly important in the initial stages of a woman’s pregnancy. They use their technology to examine and photograph the unborn baby. As pregnant women need consistent check-ups, ultrasound technicians can become a pivotal part of the pregnancy. Other sonographers can specialize in neurological, abdominal and breast conditions. Breast sonographers are a fundamental element in the detection and prevention of breast cancer.
Average wages begin from around $55,000. The projected job growth is said to be around 19%, higher than the average. Unlike other medical machinery ultrasound machines do not use radiation and so are completely safe. With new technology being developed the industry will evolve rapidly, resulting in a higher demand for jobs.
Psychologists have the choice to work in a variety of places, including hospitals, schools, prisons or privately. Their profession is based on understanding the human mind and human behavior. They provide emotional and mental support and therapy to individuals and groups. This profession is hugely varied. Psychologists can work rehabilitating addicts and criminals, or offering medical aid to mentally ill patients. They can also offer therapy to families and individuals with difficulties in their life. They employ numerous therapeutic techniques and can implement personalized practices to assist their patients and are trained to deal with almost every mental ailment, from depression to schizophrenia.
Jobs in psychology and counseling careers are expected to grow faster than the average for occupations over the next ten years. There will likely be a 34% increase in jobs through 2014. They have a substantial salary, averaging $99,000 for those with a private practice. Patients often place a huge deal of trust in their psychologists. Psychologists are concerned with improving a patient’s standard of life, or in some cases, merely offering advice and support to those who need it.
Feel good careers can be tough. They often require interacting with other people and situations that can be challenging. However, the personal satisfaction continues to makes them appealing. Check out these other feel good careers:
Filed in: College Preparation.
