Careers for Making a Difference
Matching Personal Passions to Promising Careers -- for Those Who Want to Make a Difference
"Remember that you are needed. There is at least one important work to be done that will not be done unless you do it." - Catherine Pulsifer
Making as much of a positive impact as they can on the people around them, their community, their nation and their world is not a choice for some -- it is a calling. But even those who are called to make a difference can make a living. In fact, if only qualified people deserve to be wealthy, then people who are driven by a passion to improve the quality of life for others may be the most qualified, as they are likely to be the best stewards of that which they earn. Below is a list of careers that can provide a path of empowerment for those who want to make a difference with their work.
Building, Communications and Transportation
- Trades (builder, electrician, roofer, carpenter, painter, brick layer, drywaller, paver, carpet layer, etc.) - building and repairing homes for those that need them worldwide
- Computer / network technician - connecting organizations and communities; building and repairing computers for those who need it most
- Mechanic - repairing cars, boats and farm equipment to provide essential transportation and tools for production
- Air conditioning / heating (HVAC) technician
- Engineer - building infrastructure such as roads, bridges, viaducts and water treatment plants
- Bus / tram / trolley / subway driver
- School bus driver
- Airplane / helicopter pilot - delivering needed goods, providing rescue assistance, and transporting people who provide medical care and supplies
Inspiring, Inventing and Discovering
- Musician
- Music teacher
- Orchestra conductor
- Dance instructor / choreographer
- Chemist
- Research scientist
- Journalist / reporter / photojournalist
- Actor / performer
- Artist
- Craftsman / glass artist / potter
- Producer / Director
- Trainer
- Inventor / product designer
- Career counselor
Protecting and Defending
- Forensic scientist
- Military personnel
- Police officer / detective
- Fireman / fire fighter
- Security guard
- U.S. Marshal
- Homeland Security personnel
- U.S. Coast Guard personnel
- FBI / CIA / Secret Service personnel
- Environmental scientist
- Forester / conservation scientist
- Marine biologist
- Park ranger
- Botanist
- Animal rescue worker
- Medical examiner
- Social worker
- Lobbyist
- Activist
- Ambassador
- Lawyer
- Paralegal
- Mediator
- University ombudsman
- Ethics officer
- Auditor
- Network security expert
- HIPAA medical information officer
- Congressional aide
- Product tester
- Microbiologist
- Nurse educator
- Public health worker
Caring and Encouraging
- Nurse / doctor / surgeon
- Emergency medical technician
- Dentist / dental assistant / dental hygienist
- Long-term care aide / home health care aide
- Imaging technologist
- Pathologist
- Lab technician
- Medical appliance fabricator
- Massage therapist
- Physical therapist
- Respiratory therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Speech therapist
- Veterinarian
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy technician / pharmacy technologist
- Fitness trainer
- Teacher / special education teacher
- Child care provider
- Camp counselor
- Ecotourism guide
- Mortician
- Grief counselor
- Priest / pastor / rabbi
- Youth counselor / aftercare counselor
- Adoption counselor
- Alcohol and drug addiction counselor
- Medical advocate / healthcare advocate
- Professional organizer
- Midwife
- Life coach
- Literacy counselor
- Tutor
- Translator
- Foster parent / foster home director
Other Careers Making a Difference
- Non-profit organization director / employee
- Marketing coordinator for non-profit organizations
- Fundraiser
- Grant writer
- Librarian
- Government worker / civil service
- Entrepreneur
Tips for Those Who Want to Make a Difference through Work
- Understanding non-profit organizations and government agencies
- The realities of working for a non-profit organization
- Encore Careers - social change work for 50+ workers