Ten More Careers Making A Difference
Ten More Careers Making A Difference
Do you long to travel the world feeding the hungry? Or work with kids at yourlocal high school? Do you have it in you to hold the hand of a dying man, orsit patiently as a teenager struggles to read a book? Perhaps you are readyto take a risk to make a difference as a firefighter, defend the rights of theaccused, or inspire faith in others. Then you'll be surprised how many payingjobs are out there calling your name.
The field of not-just-for-profit work is challenging, engaging and ever changing.The work environment is usually positive; everyone shares the ultimate goalof making the world (or at least a specific part of it) a better place. Employeesworking in non-profits and other socially-responsible businesses tend to havea greater sense of ownership in the organization, recognizing that it is thevehicle by which they are enacting social change. Therefore they more frequentlyenjoy their jobs and are proud of what they do.
Whether for a public, private or non-profit organization, there is a positionwell-suited to your skills and interests in which you can bring about socialchange. In this series, we are hand-picking careers that reveal the diversityof employment opportunities in the business of making a difference. Below arethe second 10 career profiles.
Whether your aim is to help people domestically or internationally, or justto feel you've left a lasting impression on the world you live in, there isa career where you can have positive impact.
Read the first article in our series, "10 Careers Making a Difference"
# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
1 | Diplomat or Foreign Service Officer | www.foreignservicecareers.com | Starting $40,000 |
Summary: A diplomat (also known as a Foreign Service Office) has a primary responsibilityto preserve, create and mend relationships between the United States andother countries around the world. Because they represent the United Statesgovernment, diplomats must be personable and have the ability to communicateeffectively -- this often involves mastery of the host country's language,and the ability to write well. They perform a multitude of responsibilitiesin their post country from issuing visas to conducting press conferencesfor ambassadors. Diplomats spend more than 60% of their time handlingreports - reading, gathering facts, writing and proofreading. There are five career tracks a ForeignService Officer can take:
Knowledge of political systems, cultures, geography, international affairsand current political and social issues are vital to becoming a ForeignService Officer. It is beneficial to have a strong background in AmericanHistory and the process of how the United States government functions. | Education, Certification & Experience:
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# | Title / Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
| 2 | Hospice Nurse | www.nurse.com | $25,000- 50,000 |
Summary: Hospice nurses care for the physical and emotional needs of dying patientsand their loved ones. They are chosen for their compassion and desireto make a person’s death as peaceful and comfortable as possible- not only the dying individual but for their loved ones as well. Hospicenurses are typically registered nurses who have received additional trainingin pain and symptom management (palliative care). Hospice nurses typicallywork in conjunction with hospitals and long-term care facilities, as wellas on site at a patient's home. Hospice nurses often work within a team in order to make the individual'send-of-life experiences as comfortable and pleasant as possible. The teamincludes a wide variety of expert individuals; most often a RN hospicemanager, a social worker and a chaplain. The hospice RN case manager ensuresa comprehensive care plan is in order, and a hospice social worker evaluatesthe needs of the patient and their family and advocates for the patient'srights. The hospice chaplain helps the patient and their loved ones workthrough many of the whys of life and death and they offer spiritual support. | Education, Certification & Experience:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
3 | Firefighter | InternationalAssociation of Fire Fighters | $29,550-54,120 |
Summary: Firefighters help protect the public against fires and other emergenciesthat take thousands of lives each year. The main objective of firefightingis to extinguish fires in order to save lives, property and the environment.Firefighters are rescuers trained to put out hazardous fires that jeopardizecommunities, and may be part of an emergency response team at the sceneof an accident, fire, flood, earthquake or act of terrorism. Some firefighters specialize in forest fires, and receive training indifferent methods and equipment than other firefighters. When they workfor national forests and parks, forest fire rangers, inspectors and preventionspecialists patrol for travelers or campers who violate fire regulationsand watch for fires from watchtowers and report them. When fires breakout, crews of fire fighters suppress the blaze with heavy equipment andwater hoses. Fighting fires is dangerous and complex, and is therefore vital to beable to work on a team, follow protocols and obey orders. Many firefighterswork more than 50 hours a week; most department schedules include 24 hourson duty and 48 hours off. | Education, Certification &Experience:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
4 | Public Interest Lawyer | $23,000-55,000 | |
Summary: Public interest lawyers are both advocates and advisors in the community.Whether they work civil or criminal cases, they concentrate on particularcauses, choosing cases that might have an impact on the way law is applied.Public interest lawyers represent special interest groups like the SierraClub, NOW, WWF and other organizations in which their main objective isto make the world a better place. Law reform and class action litigationare areas of focus for public interest lawyers - especially in the areasof gay rights, women’s issues, employment discrimination, civilrights, environment and education. Public interest lawyers also work aspublic defenders, providing representation to persons who could otherwisenot be able to afford it. The areas of law most commonly associated withpublic defenders are domestic relations, landlord/tenant disputes andconsumer protection. Lawyers do most of their work in their offices, law libraries and courtrooms.They rely heavily on networking a vast web of contacts, and their abilityto work with people. Their day consists of meetings and research on currentcases when they are not in the courtroom arguing a case. They are facedwith heavy pressure and crucial deadlines; on average lawyers work morethan 50 hours a week. | Education, Certification &Experience:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
5 | Military Officer | www.todaysmilitary.com | $30,000-130,000 |
Summary: Military officers make up 16 percentof the Armed Forces, and are the leaders of the military, supervising andmanaging activities. Military officers, depending on seniority play a vitalrole and the future of the armed forces. Officers oversee operations andmaintain operations within their branch of service. There are five branchesof the military; Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force. The process of joining the military as an officer is different than joiningas an enlisted, and under normal circumstances applications must be afour year college graduate. Occupations within the Armed Forces include:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
6 | Economist | $55,000-103,000 | |
Summary: Economists conduct research, collect and analyze data, watch economictrends and develop forecasts. They study issues such as energy costs,inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, business cycles, taxes, andemployment levels. Using mathematical formulas and theories to make predictions,they study, develop and apply theories and concepts from economics andwrite about economic policy. Economists may work in government as advisors or critics on current economicpolicy, or in the private sector advising business on their current economicstanding projections for the future. They may also work in academia. Theytypically apply their skills in areas of health, education, agriculture,urban and regional economics, law, history, energy, the environment, orother issues. Economists who work in the private sector are employed byorganizations in fields such as banking, finance, marketing, lobbyingand non-profit. Politicians often consult economists before enacting policy, thus givingthem an important role in legislation. Economists employed by the governmentprovide vital assessments on current economic conditions and effects certainpolicies will have on current economic conditions. | Education, Certification &Experience:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
7 | International Relief Worker | Becomingan Aid Worker: An Experienced Professional Explains How It's Done | $6,000-20,000 housing is typically covered |
Summary: An international reliefworker is someone who takes on projects as needed in response to humanitariancrises. The primary goal of humanitarian aid is to reduce the suffering,save lives and maintain a healthy life for those victimized by the crises.There is also a development aid which is designed to address long standingsocioeconomic problems that inhibit ones well being or that have beenbrought on by an emergency. A relief worker is a great career for someone who wants to find rewardingwork internationally. Yet, they must have the ability to relocate frequentlyand adapt to intensely trying situations and challenging environments. Career areas in relief work include:
Relief workers are generally employed by NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations). Feeding the hungry, helping victims of war, preventing disease, ensuringsafe drinking water, counseling teenagers, teaching computer skills, puttinga roof over a family's head - relief work is a most challenging -- andrewarding -- career path. | Education, Certification & Experience:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
8 | Special Education Teacher | TheCouncil for Exceptional Children | $40,000-60,000 |
Summary: Special education teachers work with children, youth and adults whomhave mental and physical disabilities that require specialized assistancein order to learn. Students who struggle with reading, speaking, or applyingother classroom skills qualify for Special Education. Dyslexia, a learningdisorder, is one of the most common disabilities that require specialeducation. Only a small number of special education teachers work withstudents that have a severe degree of mental disability. The majorityof special education teachers work with children and youth that have minordisabilities that only need to amend the curriculum to meet the childneeds. A key element of a special education teacher's job is creating and managingan Individualized Education Plan (IEP) -- a learning plan designed foreach student. Depending on the level of disability, teachers can use problem-solvingassignments, small-group work or individualized strategies to helpingthe child grasp the material. Working with students that have disabilitiesusually requires special accommodations when taking tests or doing publicreading assignments. Special education teachers don't teach in the traditional way alone.They:
Special education teachers need to be able to adapt to each circumstance,and be patient in testing various learning techniques to promote learningin the student. Satisfaction comes from the student's successful graspof the material. | Education, Certification & Experience:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
9 | Clergy Member | PrincetonReview's "A Day in the Life of a Clergy" | $23,000-63,000 |
Summary: A member of the clergy (Priest, Rabbi, Minister, Imam) is someone withformal religious leadership within a religion. Frequently referring totheir work as a calling rather than a career, clergy members are usuallyresponsible for spreading their chosen religion’s doctrines in anunderstandable way. Clergy are responsible for religious education, moralguidance and spiritual counseling. Common work activities of the clergy include:
Clergy who serve large congregations often share their duties with associatesor more junior clergy who sometimes specialize in music, education, oryouth counseling. | Education, Certification & Experience:
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# | Title /Program | Resources | Typical AnnualSalary* |
10 | Coaches and Sports Instructors | PrincetonReview's "A Day in the Life of a Coach" | $33,000-50,000 |
Summary: Whether they specialize in football, baseball, basketball, wrestling,hockey, soccer, volleyball, track, or one of many other sports fields,coaches organize amateur and professional athletes and teach them thefundamentals of individual and team sports. Athletes rely on coaches tohelp them fulfill their potential and gain a competitive edge. Coachesare responsible for the readiness of the team or athlete. To prepare themfor competition, coaches:
Sports instructors teach professional and nonprofessional athletes individually.They organize, instruct, train, and lead athletes in indoor and outdoorsports such as bowling, tennis, golf, boxing, swimming, weight lifting,gymnastics, scuba diving and karate. Coaches travel often. Many coaches in high schools are primarily teachersof academic subjects who supplement their income by coaching part time. | Education, Certification & Experience:
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Resources
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