A lot of people choose a career through peer pressure or because of how much it pays. However, if you’re someone who’s consumed by a need to help others, you’re probably looking for more from your career. Being fulfilled in a job can be much better than being well paid. Work doesn’t feel like work when you do what you love, and people who love their career tend to last longer. If you love to help people and your community, here are some career paths you could consider.

Police Officers

People often associate police officers with traffic stops or altercations with criminals, but police officers do much more than that. They are the first on the scene during disaster situations. They are also there to help people in the community deal with all sorts of different issues. They are there to assist paramedics and fire departments, and routinely have to save lives.

This is a career you should consider if you want to give back to your community and you should shed any negative views of the field that you have. You could get your police studies degree online through an institution like Wilfrid Laurier University and find work as a police officer right after you graduate. You will then be able to move into different positions and start making a real change on the ground.

Teacher

Another option you could consider is becoming a teacher. Some teachers are just there for the money, but teachers who are in the profession because they care are the ones who make a difference. These are the teachers who are beloved by their students and get visits from students who have succeeded thanking them for where they are in life. Teaching jobs are not necessarily the highest paid, but few positions are as fulfilling. You’ll also enjoy pretty good work conditions and lots of vacation time. This is a great job for people who want to raise the next generation of professionals and teach students how to be upstanding and productive citizens.

Guidance Counselor

If people are constantly telling you that you give good advice, or they come to you for advice, then you should consider becoming a guidance counselor. You’ll be asked to assist young students and help them choose a career path. This is a good position if you’re a good judge of character and have a knack for reading people.

Social Worker

It takes a very special person to be a social worker, and if you have what it takes, the field desperately needs you. Social workers have to deal with human tragedy virtually every day and they play a very crucial role in communities. If you have a cause that is close to your heart, you could choose a position where you’ll be able to help. Whether it’s alcoholism or substance abuse, domestic violence, or poverty, you’ll have a chance to make a difference as a social worker.

Nursing

Nursing is one of the best career options for people who truly want to make a difference in people’s lives. You could become a NICU nurse, for instance, and help deliver life. Or you could help save the lives of babies who are born prematurely or with disorders.

You could also work in communities in need or specific populations, like the elderly, for instance. Being able to help impoverished communities or rural communities suffering from shortages can be extremely fulfilling and fill you with a sense of purpose.

You could also work as a rescue nurse and give critical care to patients who are being airlifted. You could even decide to become a nurse teacher later in your career and help teach the next generation of nurses or turn to a career in advocacy or public service. There are so many paths that you can take, so look at some of the specializations and positions you could fill and see if there’s something that grabs your attention.

Lawyer

A lot of people have a negative view of lawyers for some reason, but they are some of the most important people in our societies. There are so many specialties in law, and if you’re sensitive to specific issues, then you could work on these issues specifically. You could help victims of work accidents, for instance, or people who are victims of medical malpractice. You could also become a family lawyer and help people navigate through rough divorces while minimizing the negative impact on children. Alternatively, you could become a civil rights lawyer and help people who are suffering from discrimination.

Personal Trainer

If you love being active and understand the importance of physical activity, then becoming a personal trainer could be a great option. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is when you see people improving because of your advice and encouragement. You can become certified as a trainer pretty fast and start working with clients either independently or as an employee for a gym right after you get your credentials. Independent personal trainers get to choose which setting they work in and the type of clients they want to work with. You also have the choice of training individuals or groups.

Career Coach

A lot of people are lost on their career journey and are wasting their potential. As a career coach, you’ll have the chance to put them back on track and push them to become better. Some people may need help with their image while others might need advice on which career path would be the best for them. They might also need to know what they need to do to get the type of position they want. Career coaches do things like reviewing resumes and making recommendations, conducting mock interviews and helping the people they work with learn critical soft skills like communication, leadership, negotiation, and time management.

As you can see, tons of different positions will allow you to help people. Look at all of these options and don’t hesitate to speak with a few people in these professions so you can get a clearer idea of what the job is like.