For many people, a job is simply a way to make money. There’s nothing wrong with this mindset, and as long as it’s something you are comfortable with, you can sustain this position your entire working life. But for some people, the pay just doesn’t cut it. Sure, it means you can pay your bills and afford the lifestyle you want, but are you truly satisfied and happy? If your answer is “no”, then it could be that you need to consider a career move to something that proves more rewarding. What makes a job rewarding is much more than the money you make; there are all kinds of other factors involved. Rather than keep on slogging away at a job you don’t feel happy or fulfilled with, here are four jobs that can be extremely rewarding and may prove to be the best career decision you make.
Elementary Teacher
If you want a job that is rewarding you may want to consider working with kids as an elementary teacher. This is an opportunity for you to play a role in their development, education, and future. In terms of the career outlook, there is definitely growth, with the field expected to grow by 4% by the year 2029. Job growth can be largely dependent on the area you live in and what the enrollment numbers are like in that region. This means the growth could be lower or higher.
As for what you’ll need in order to get a job as a teacher, the minimum is a bachelor’s degree. The average yearly wage is $59,420 across the country, but again, this can differ depending on the school board or region.
During the day, you’ll be working with kids teaching them various topics, helping them to grasp different concepts, and building their confidence. But it’s not just the school hours you’ll work; teachers are notorious for working on weekends and in the evenings in order to grade work and to prepare their lesson plans. It’s one of those jobs where there is more to it than meets the eye. You will also have the option of working in private or public schools, which can affect your class size, pay, and experience.
Everybody tends to remember that one special teacher that really helped them out, gave them encouragement, helped them improve, and believed in them, so this could be your opportunity to be that teacher for kids.
Human Resource Manager
When you think of rewarding jobs, the role of a human resource manager may not immediately come to mind, but as you dig a little deeper, it’s clear to see that it can be very rewarding. In this role you’ll be working with employees to solve various issues such as workplace conflicts. You will also help employees with their benefits, salary, training, promotions, and more. It’s all about making sure employees are happy and satisfied at work, and solving issues as they arise.
What may also come as a surprise to you is how much human resource managers can make. The average yearly salary is $116,720, and you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree and typically at least five years of experience in HR to be considered for a management position.
Again, it is a job that is growing faster than the national average, so it can prove to be a wise path to pursue.
Registered Nurse
It’s hard to find a career that can be more rewarding than nursing. You will literally be able to touch people’s lives each and every shift, making a difference in their health and well-being. Although it’s the kind of job that can be mentally and physically draining, it can also leave you feeling satisfied that you’re giving back to your community.
If you want to speed up the process so you can get into the field as quickly as possible, you can look into the accelerated BSN nursing program through a school like Baylor University. This is a fast-track way to get through your studies as long as you already have a bachelor’s degree (non-nursing).
Here in the United States, the median annual wage for a registered nurse is $73,300, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. In this job you’ll be responsible for maintaining the patient’s medical records, putting together and using the proper nursing care plan, and assessing the patient. You can choose to work in a hospital setting, or in other industries like outpatient care centers, home health care, a doctor’s office, or in a nursing care facility.
The field is growing faster than the national job growth average, with growth of 7% expected by 2029. This translates into job opportunities.
Firefighter
Here’s a job that gives you the opportunity to save people’s lives and ensure that the community as a whole is kept safe. A firefighter is among the most respected jobs out there, as you will be the one risking your life in order to save someone else.
And it’s not just fires that you will be responding to. Firefighters are often the first ones on the scene in all kinds of scenarios including accidents and medical emergencies. You’ll need to know how to respond quickly, safely, and effectively in a variety of situations. It’s also up to you to educate the public on fire safety measures.
The field of firefighters also gives you lots of opportunities for advancement, allowing you to work up the chain of command if you choose.
The average annual salary for a firefighter is $50,850 and it is showing a lot of signs of growth at the moment. Keep in mind that as a firefighter your training and learning is never truly over, so expect on-going training. This is meant to keep you safe and sharp so that you can respond to situations accordingly.
So, if you’re under the impression that a job is nothing more than a paycheck, it may be time to think again and start looking into career paths that are much more rewarding.
