7 Satisfying Jobs That Make a Difference in the World

You remember being asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Your answer has likely changed many times over the years. But your dream career has always had something to do with making the world around you a better place. From firefighter to veterinarian to teacher, you’ve always been drawn to jobs that make a difference in some way.

Now that the time has come to start pursuing your “grown-up” career, it’s up to you to choose a path that fulfills your desire to help others. The good news is there are options in a variety of fields, so you can identify a path that perfectly suits your skills and interests. It all starts with a little research.

Consider these 7 careers that make a difference

We identified seven satisfying jobs that make a difference in the world. Whether the impact is direct or indirect, these professionals all have a positive influence on society. One of these could be the fulfilling career you’ve always dreamed of!

1. Early childhood educators

We all know that teachers make a difference in their students’ lives, but many people don’t realize how much impact an early childhood education (ECE) professional has on our littlest members of society. Young children are constantly learning from their surroundings and it falls on early childhood educators to lay the foundation for a fruitful future.

ECE professionals may be employed as preschool teachers, childcare workers or even childcare directors. Whether it be in a childcare center or a classroom setting, early childhood educators are responsible not only for teaching early math and literacy skills, but also for showing children how to interact with others. They’re also on the lookout for important developmental milestones and they’re often the first to alert parents when a child may have a developmental delay.

Learn more about the positive impact these educators make in our article: “5 Reasons the Importance of ECE Is Impossible to Ignore.”

2. Nurse

You’ve probably already encountered a nurse who has made a difference at some point in your life. By pursuing this rewarding career, it could be your turn to make a positive impact on others during every shift.

A nurse’s job goes far beyond taking blood pressure and recording medical history. Nurses provide quality healthcare and support to patients and their families, from managing routine health and wellness visits to educating a patient with a cancer diagnosis. Nurses are also able to specialize, so they can focus your work on an area you’re truly passionate about. Some specialty areas include pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing or geriatric nursing.

Learn more about the many meaningful roles a nurse plays in our article: “Who Is a Nurse? A Closer Look at These Superheroes in Scrubs.”

3. Police officer

Police officers are devoted to protecting and serving their local communities, often sacrificing their own safety to do so. This is a career where you truly put others before yourself in order to positively impact society.

Police officers investigate crimes, respond to emergency calls and testify in court. They actively work to prevent crime in their area, and they often go above and beyond the call of duty by assisting others even when they’re off the clock. Their hard work pays off every day as they bring justice and safety to those they serve.

Learn more about the honorable role of law enforcement in our article: Why Become a Police Officer? 5 Reasons You Can't Ignore.

4. Community health worker

Community health workers act as health advocates for people in their area by providing resources and education to promote healthy lifestyles in their community. This hands-on job allows health workers to make a significant impact by encouraging and empowering people with the tools they need to make positive, lasting improvements to their health.

Community health workers develop educational resources, run training programs, coordinate a health education staff and analyze health data to make their community a healthier place. Giving people access to the information and healthcare services they need is a definite way to make a difference in the world.

Learn more about this impactful healthcare career in our article: “What Is a Community Health Worker? A Closer Look at This Rewarding Role.”

5. Nonprofit executive director

Executive directors are essentially the leaders of their nonprofit business. This position seamlessly blends business tasks like management and finance reporting with philanthropy as their nonprofit works to serve the people it’s devoted to helping.

Nonprofit executive directors are business leaders who do everything they can to ensure the success of their organization, from approving budgets and managing their team to attending fundraising events and fostering strong relationships with donors. The nonprofits that do so much good in the world wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the strong leadership of their executive directors.

Learn more about the benefits of working in the nonprofit sector in our article: Why Work for a Nonprofit? Understanding the Advantages of these Organizations.

6. Human services assistant

Human services assistants advocate for individuals who are in need of assistance for various reasons. These professionals are employed in various fields, including psychology, social services, rehabilitation and more. They visit clients to check in on their well-being and offer different types of assistance. Some common issues they assist with are substance abuse, domestic violence, rehabilitation or dependent care.

The human services assistant often acts as the bridge between a struggling individual and the support they need to overcome the obstacles they're facing. They help them identify and obtain the social services available to them, supporting them on their road to recovery.

Learn more about the countless ways these individuals provide support in our article: “9 Ways Human Services Professionals Help Their Communities”.

7. Software developer

Software developers are the builders of the digital world. These problem solvers use their programming skills to develop the new software and apps that allow companies in many different industries to bring the best level of service to their customers.

At face value, software development might not seem like a career that obviously makes a difference, but it’s the work of these dedicated professionals that has led to improved patient care in the medical industry, better educational resources for students and even renewable energy systems that benefit the environment. Like any builder, their skills can be applied in a wide variety of positive ways. 

Learn more about the unexpected ways this field improves communities in our article:“8 Surprising Examples of How Computer Science Benefits Society.”

Build a career that makes a difference

No matter where your skills and interests lie, there are ways you can making a living out of making an impact. The careers we profiled above are just some of the many jobs that make a difference in the world.

If one of them piqued your interest, follow the link at the end of that section to get a more in-depth look at the position. A little more research can bring you one step closer to launching the meaningful career you were meant for!

*Graduates of Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen University are not eligible for licensure as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school. A Bachelor’s degree and a state teaching license are typically required to work as a teacher in a public school and some private school settings. States, municipalities, districts or individual schools may have more stringent licensing requirements. Students must determine the licensure requirements in the state and school in which they intend to work.
Childcare facilities and the states in which they are located establish qualifications for staff who work with children, and often implement guidelines regarding age, education, experience and professional development. Students must determine the licensure requirements for the state and facilities in which they work.
This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and this program is not intended to lead to any state-issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence.

**This Human Services program at Rasmussen University is designed for non-licensed positions and does not academically qualify graduates for any state professional license. It is not intended for those seeking employment as a licensed social worker

***The Law Enforcement programs at Rasmussen University] are not aligned to the standards of any professional licensing body other than the MN POST and are not intended to satisfy professional licensure requirements of any professional licensing agency in any other state.