How Your Career Can Help You to Help Others

Many people volunteer in their free time to support the causes that they value. However, others feel that volunteering is not enough, so they begin careers that allow them to help other people. If you want to do more to improve your community, consider starting a new career in one of these areas.

Law

One stereotype about lawyers is that they are all corrupt and just work for the money. However, most lawyers genuinely care about the people they represent and want to make their lives better. If you look at your credentials and think, “What legal firm would hire me?”, other options are available. You could help expert witnesses to prepare their testimonies, or you could serve as the court reporter for your county’s courthouse. If the courtroom scene does not appeal to you, get involved with local politics by running for an elected office at the county or state level. This path allows you to create legislation that helps at-risk groups and addresses issues you’ve witnessed in your community.

Medicine

One of the most tangible ways to help other people is to begin a career in medicine. Becoming a doctor is a famously difficult career path, and if you have already worked for several years, you may not want to spend so much time in school again. However, if you begin a career as a nurse, technician or even receptionist, you will still help people to recover from their illnesses and feel more comfortable.

While physical health is important, so is mental health. However, many people forget that mental health is also a part of medicine. To become a certified psychiatrist, you need to get bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but some of your earlier education may transfer. If counseling does not appeal to you, consider working for nonprofits that promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention programs.

Education

In the United States, each state stipulates how long children must attend school. These numbers vary, but all states require education until well into the teenage years. Becoming involved in education is a great way to have a positive impact on these children’s lives. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, return to school to become certified to teach at the level you are most comfortable with. If teaching does not appeal to you, find out how you can work as a receptionist, guidance counselor, coach or nurse at your local high school. Some people love to teach but do not want to have a full classroom of students. You can tutor individual students in a variety of subjects, including music and foreign languages. Finally, if you have extensive experience in an area such as science or politics, consider completing advanced degrees and teaching college.

Volunteering is an excellent way to spend your free time. However, if you want to take your community involvement to the next level, consider switching your career to one in law, medicine or education. By taking your job seriously and working to help the people you encounter, you can make a substantial difference in their lives and your community’s culture.