As we enter a new year, many of us are eager to make a fresh start. Whether it’s joining the local gym or finally starting that novel you’ve always been meaning to write, all of these things can allow us to do what makes us happy, which is a crucial part of living a joyful life. Another way you can improve the state of your life is to make a positive career change. Not only can this allow you to make more money, but a new job can also offer you the prime opportunity to make some new friends and expand your skills. To discuss this further, this article will list a range of fulfilling careers to help you start 2024 in the right way.
1. Scientist
The world of science is an immensely fascinating landscape, giving these workers the chance to be at the front and center of worldwide change. These employees spend their days trying to uncover life’s greatest mysteries, all whilst using a wealth of state-of-the-art equipment and practices to help refine their skills. Thus, if you’re keen to delve into these unique attributes for yourself, you should consider retraining as a scientist. There are several fulfilling careers within this sector, so you’re bound to find something that adheres to your passions and interests. As such, you now have the perfect chance to spend your working hours in an affluent lab and enjoy a day packed full of environmental chamber testing. However interesting this role may seem, it’s important to remember that it requires a lot of hard work and studying to secure these types of jobs. To begin, you will have to get a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant niche, such as environmental science or biology. Though this is a great achievement, it’s advised that you at least move on to a Master’s or PhD program to help advance your knowledge. These degrees will offer you access to a range of alluring research projects, ensuring that you can be credited for your scientific discoveries. It seems that your salary will help to pay off all this hard work, with Indeed noting that Scientists usually earn $92,085 per year.
Although working in a lab can be very exciting, it may not be to everybody’s taste. For people who want to push away from the confines of their usual office and spend more time in the great outdoors, there is a wealth of fulfilling careers in the science industry. For example, Geotechnical Engineers focus on using detailed processes such as a soil absorption test to monitor how climate change is impacting our landscapes. Thus, this is a perfect career option for those who feel passionate about the state of our environment and are eager to make the change for themselves. According to Comparably, these individuals typically earn $89,963 a year, making it a prosperous role for those who want to improve their living conditions as well as their financial future.
2. Lawyer
Lawyers are an integral part of our modern world, helping us receive justice during difficult situations. Although we tend to associate these workers with high-profile criminal cases, there are a plethora of chances to gain a fulfilling career in a much more laid-back sector. For those who want to help others as they approach their golden years, it may be a good idea to become an elder law planning attorney. These lawyers specifically work alongside those over the age of 65, ensuring that they can get their affairs in order before they pass away or achieve financial freedom during their retirement. To become a lawyer, you need to obtain a JD degree. But to stand out against the competition, a lot of law firms prefer to hire those who have a good understanding or qualifications in medical ethics, public policy, and health law. Thus, this is an ideal role for those who enjoy endless study sessions and not for those who want to learn on the job. Zip Recruiter continues to highlight the lucrative nature of this job, indicating that the average salary for this position is $108,160.
Family lawyers are also a crucial part of this bustling industry and are a prime example of a very motivating and thought-provoking role. These lawyers mainly work with divorced couples to ensure that both parties can receive a decent amount of assets, whilst also sharing custody of their respective children. Thus, this role requires workers to have a strong heart and a good sense of impartiality, helping them to handle a wealth of conflicting emotions without losing their sense of professionalism. Again, this is the type of job that requires a lot of commitment as it usually takes seven years to become a fully qualified family lawyer. In turn, it’s wise that you take some time to consider whether this is the right job for you before you decide to spend copious amounts of time and money on a relevant degree. But, if you do decide to take the plunge, Learn.org suggests that you could earn an average of $148,910 per year.
3. Doctor
There’s no denying that doctors are an incredibly important asset to all of us. Whether they’re saving lives in the Emergency Room or offering a consultation at a local health clinic, these workers help to educate us on several health conditions and guide us in finding the best treatment. As such, these are viewed as fulfilling careers for those who want to put some good back into their local communities and work to develop vital cures for some of the world’s most deadly diseases. But, if you don’t want to deal with the stress of conducting life-saving practices every day, you may want to try something different within this field. A detox doctor commonly supports those battling addiction, ensuring that they can eliminate any residual effects of toxic substances as well as help them handle a variety of withdrawal symptoms. These doctors may not be on the front line of the healthcare industry, but they’re undoubtedly very useful to those in need. Salary.com states that these workers earn between $195,285 to $243,700 per year, with the national average sitting at $217,924. Therefore, this is a great opportunity for those who want a purposeful job that still allows them to earn a decent living.
An orthopedic doctor is another great example of a doctor who works to help others but doesn’t have to cope with immensely high levels of stress and trauma. These workers tend to focus most on the health of our bones and joints, so they spend a lot of their time with those who suffer from arthritis or nerve damage. Alongside gaining a medical degree, candidates are encouraged to complete a series of active work placements so that they can gain a true taste of this vocation from a first-hand perspective. Thus, those looking for some fulfilling careers must understand that this particular role is packed full of studying and learning. If you consider yourself to have an abundance of booksmarts, you’re sure to thrive in this special environment. However strenuous this process sounds, it seems that it’ll all be worth it in the end, as Pay Scale explains that orthopedic doctors usually earn a staggering $396,248 a year.
For those who want to find fulfilling careers in a more general field of medicine, you may be best suited as a family care physician. From newborns to the elderly, these doctors strive to offer useful advice and guidance to patients of any age. They can commonly be found in health clinics up and down the country, meaning that they also provide a collection of vital services such as immunizations and lifestyle counseling. In turn, this is a job for those who want to dabble in every aspect of medicine and don’t want to be tied down to one specific niche. These workers also complete residency programs, which help them to apply their wealth of knowledge in real-world situations, offering them the prime opportunity to broaden their horizons even further. Glassdoor informs us that these doctors commonly earn an average of $231,159 per year, making it an amazing role for those who are motivated by money as well as the prospect of helping others.
4. Teacher
Whether we loved every moment of our school years or spent most of our days wishing it would end, we cannot deny that teachers play an imperative role in our growth and maturity. These employees balance nurturing the minds and bodies of their students with an abundance of important admin tasks. As such, you need to be able to multitask effectively to find success in these fulfilling careers. If you would prefer to work with younger children on a day-to-day basis, you should apply to work in some acclaimed preschools in your area. Preschool teachers are expected to have a degree in a relevant field as well as a ton of work experience, meaning that they’re also expected to find an equilibrium between intense studying and gaining hands-on experience. Though there is a common misconception that these employees are not highly paid, it seems that they’re still able to earn a fitting living with their salary. Career Explorer states that the average yearly wage for this position is $30,210, but also informs us that the top 20% of candidates have the potential to earn up to $58,500 per year.
But, if kids aren’t your thing, you still have the chance to become an educator in a collection of interesting fields. For example, if you have previous experience as a beauty therapist or hair stylist, you could easily secure a job in your local cosmetology school program. These students usually focus on the nuances of cosmetic treatments, such as skin treatments and nail services, but they’re also taught the principles of good business and marketing so that they have everything they need to set up their own companies. Therefore, you have the chance to teach a unique set of students, ensuring that they can find grandiose levels of success in such a popular industry. In addition, these teachers seem to make a lot more money than their conventional counterparts, with Zippia stating that these workers typically earn between $31,000 to $64,000 per year. However, the source notes that you’re more likely to earn closer to the average pay rate of $45,344 per year.
5. Masseuse
Massage schools are also great institutions to look into if you’re eager to become a teacher but still don’t feel comfortable working with children. At these establishments, you would usually spend your day educating your cohort on key areas of the human anatomy, exploring how you can use the ancient art of massage to alleviate areas of pain and tension. Massage is also associated with a variety of holistic healing benefits, so this is also suited to those who want to help others feel more relaxed without the use of modern medicine. Zip Recruiter explains that massage instructors tend to earn $5,526 per month, which equals around $66,317 per year. Therefore, this information highlights that even those working very niche, but fulfilling careers, have the chance to earn a lot of money for their services.
Deciding to change careers is a big step for anyone, especially if you’re making this move a bit later in life or are trying to enter a completely new industry. But, although starting a new job is probably one of the most nerve-wracking things you can do, it offers you the chance to spread your wings and identify your latest passions. Thus, you’re free to let go of the demands of a typical nine-to-five and finally sink your teeth into something you enjoy. When looking for new fulfilling careers, searching local databases will be your best bet. Looking at local business’s websites to see if they are hiring is another great way to find work in your preferred field. Thus, if you’re looking to experiment with some more fulfilling careers in 2024, be sure to follow the tips and tricks discussed throughout this article.
