Four Great Jobs That Make Positive Impact: Some of the most rewarding careers are those vocations that inspire others, help make positive change and bring benefit and advancement to spirit and body.
If you’re simply not the nine-to-five type, and you can’t imagine anything worse than sitting in an office all day, there’s a good chance you’re also searching for a job that makes a difference – either to individuals, society, or the planet. There are plenty of industries and roles out there that have a positive impact, and we’ve rounded up four of the best for you.
Teacher
We all had that one teacher at school that left us feeling inspired and made a difference in our lives. Whether they ignited a passion for a subject in us or helped us through difficult times, they certainly made an impact. A teacher doesn’t just stand at the front of the class and educate; they also perform as social workers, creatives, therapists, and personal cheerleaders. They motivate young people, find potential in all their students, act as a role model, and even help to fight poverty.
Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist works with a variety of people to help them with day-to-day activities and maintain a level of independence; their patients include people who have suffered a severe illness or stroke, victims of injury, people with mental illness and those who are terminally ill. They review the patient’s medical history and ask preliminary questions, before setting out a treatment plan with specific goals in mind. These goals often change over time and need to be adaptable. They also help with necessary exercises, visit the patients home to assess any changes that need to be made, and recommend specialist equipment.
Mental Health Counselor
A tough but incredibly rewarding job is that of mental health counselor; they work with various people who are suffering from mental issues and trauma, such as veterans, young people and anyone suffering from depression and substance abuse.
They evaluate patients, prepare treatment plans, and also offer group and individual therapy sessions – and a lot of their work is writing reports and making assessments. To work as a mental health counselor, you need to be highly educated, but you also need to possess specific personal skills. You should be an excellent listener and communicator, and you must be empathetic.
To find examples of these roles, look for online mental health counseling jobs. Doing so will give you a better idea of what counselors do and what education and experience you might need to work in this field.
Speech Language Pathologist
A speech-language pathologist is concerned with speech and communication; they work with children and adults to assess, diagnose, and treat issues which might be preventing the individual from communicating effectively. They also work with people who have problems swallowing, such as dysphagia. Their patients can have suffered from brain injuries or strokes, could have sensory conditions such as Autism, or may have a developmental delay or a cleft palate.
Much of the speech-language pathologists work revolves around diagnosis and treatment, but they also often work as lecturers in colleges or universities, undertake research programs and train other people on-the-job.
