They say that if you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work or like a job. And that is so true. There are so many of us who have an altruistic personality, a passion to help and serve others, putting even strangers’ needs before our own. And that is a very noble characteristic to have. So imagine if you could steer this passion into a career that helps people day in and day out? It would benefit both the receiver and you – the giver. A perfect win-win situation!

So if you have an altruistic personality, or just genuinely enjoy helping and serving others, then consider one of these career options for 100 per cent job satisfaction.

1.Doctor/ Nurse

If you have an interest in the medical field, and are innately tuned to help others, then becoming a doctor or nurse would be perfect for you. There are so many branches to choose from, from surgeons to heart specialists to even a general practitioner – but the bottomline is always about curing someone who is sick or hurt. 

2.Teacher

This is one of the most respected and giving professions of them all – to be able to impart knowledge, teach the next generation of children values and educate them on various topics is indeed noble. Teaching requires plenty of patience and one can only be a good teacher if there is a genuine desire to help others. 

3.A Lawyer For Good Causes

Lawyers are often looked upon with suspicion, but if you fight for the underprivileged, the unfortunate and for good causes, then being a lawyer can be greatly satisfying and personally very rewarding. Some branches of law such as Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, Wills, Trust and Probate Law, or being an ally for personal injury matters can be great to mix your altruistic side with your love for justice and the law. 

4.Caregiver

A caregiver for the elderly or for children who are physically or mentally disabled, can be a wonderful career option if caring for and helping others is intrinsic to your personality. You will not only be helping your clients go about their day-to-day tasks with more ease, but will become their emotional support system as well. Some people – especially the elderly – are simply lonely and just need a listening ear and some company every once in a while. 

5.Psychologist/ Psychotherapist 

Becoming a psychologist or psychotherapist requires a lot of inner strength and again, a genuine desire to help someone in need. Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, overcoming certain fears are all major modern-age mental health problems, which a lot of people feel ashamed of or are reluctant to seek help about. So if you can provide that safe haven for someone suffering from these mental health issues, and help them overcome and reach their full potential, it is nothing short of wonderful. 

Psychologists and psychotherapists also need to be highly empathetic to fully understand their patients, and empathy is an intrinsic character trait of altruism. 

Image by Sathish kumar Periyasamy from Pixabay

Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.