Philanthropy at Work: 4 Careers That Improve the Lives of Others

People choose careers for various reasons, from making a lot of money to fulfilling a childhood dream. If you dream of a career that improves the lives of others, here are four great ones to consider. Teacher Teachers have the unique ability to touch the lives of children when they are at their most impressionable. Ask anyone who has risen above less-than-ideal circumstances to achieve great things how he was able to do it, and at some point during his explanation he invariably will point to a great teacher he had along the way. If teaching is a career that interests you, consider applying for the education program at a reputable school. If you really want to make a difference, look into a program such as Teach for America. They place promising young teachers in America's most disadvantaged schools, and in exchange for taking this assignment, you get some or all of your student loans forgiven! Social Worker Social work is one of the best fields to get into if your goal is to improve the lives of others. The field is very broad, which means it offers plenty of options, but its most important tenets span its entire gamut. Social work is a career built on advocating for the disadvantaged, improving outcomes for society's most vulnerable members, and intervening when necessary in crises and problematic situations. Many college and universities offer degrees in social work; a psychology degree also can lead to a career as a social worker. If you like to work at your own pace, you can even earn a psychology degree online. Attorney Attorneys have somewhat of a bad rap in society, and that is unfortunate. For every ambulance-chasing degenerate out there, there are at least ten attorneys who got into the profession out of a desire to help others. These lawyers advocate for viable causes, defend the innocent, and do countless hours of pro bono (volunteer) work. Law school is more competitive than ever, so it's important to start planning for a law career early. Look into a pre-law degree at a top rated school and study hard. Police Officer Even though police officers also tend to get the short end of the stick as far as perception goes, the fact remains that the majority of police offers chose that career to help, not hurt, the citizens of their communities. They know that they will be the first summoned to the scene when someone is in distress, and they revel in being in that position. Education and training requirements for police officers vary based on state and municipality, but having a bachelor's in criminal justice never hurts. By choosing the right career, anyone can infuse their life with the fulfilling purpose of helping others. If this describes what you are looking for, consider training for one of the careers above.