Last Updated on December 17, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, we spend roughly eight hours out of every week –40 hours a week – at work. Given the role work has in our lives, it’s pretty clear that finding the right career path is important to our overall happiness. Yet there’s a lot to consider when facing hundreds of potential career opportunities – in fact, in 2021 alone, there were more than 10 million job openings. Understanding what makes a job fulfilling in the first place can help you choose your most fulfilling career.
From things like professional experience to salary and genuine interests, many elements count into feeling like you have a truly satisfying job. Read on to learn about some of the most important insights of satisfying work, as well as some of the most fulfilling jobs that are currently on the market.
What makes up a fulfilling career?
According to CBS News, the Resignation that took place in 2021 has seen over 20 million Americans quit their jobs in search of better employment prospects. 92% of them said the global pandemic helped them realise that life is too short for a career they’re not passionate about.
People are seeking positions that support their lifestyles, such as work-from-home accommodations and schedule flexibility. 97% of people seeking new job prospects say they feel more engaged at work and they feel a sense of purpose for being there. Who can’t blame people for wanting to work at something they feel matters and gets them excited in the morning?
Here’s a list of some of the most fulfilling career paths that allow people to feel good about what they’re doing day in and day out.
Paediatricians
Paediatricians are medical professionals who specialise in treating children. They spent most of their time treating problems specific to younger patients like common childhood illnesses and minor injuries. They also specialise in paediatric surgery treating severe conditions that affect children, such as autoimmune disorders.
Becoming a paediatrician isn’t easy. You have to complete a four-year college degree, four years of medical school, then an internship and residency. Normally, the residency program in this field takes up to three years, and combined residencies in this field and another branch of medicine may take four or five years. That said, working as a paediatrician is one of the most fulfilling jobs in the medical field. Obviously, all types of doctors report high levels of job satisfaction, but paediatricians rank particularly high. 88% of them find this job very meaningful while 89% find them very satisfying.
EMT Technicians
Emergency Medical Technicians are the first to respond to a medical emergency, and you’ve most likely encountered someone in the job at some point in your life.
People choose this career path for a variety of reasons. If you find meaning or enjoy helping others medically in dynamic situations, physical and mental challenges, learning about medicine, psychology, and anatomy, or using your skills to help others get through difficult situations, working as an EMT may be the right job for you.
What’s in it? An EMT technician is someone who works on an emergency response vehicle, typically but not always an ambulance, to take over emergency calls.
Most Emergency Medical Technicians consider their job to be extremely rewarding and say that the interactions with patients and their families are oftentimes fulfilling. They also appreciate the fact that they get to have a positive impact on the communities that they serve.
Becoming an EMT isn’t easy. You can’t just enter a medical facility, decide to be one and then jump on an ambulance to go on and treat your patients.
They must undergo an EMT basic training in order to obtain competence in CPR, become qualified to EMT-basic level at a minimum (this normally takes 150-180 hours of training) and pass a certification exam known as the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Physical Therapists
Working as a physical therapist can also be rewarding if you enjoy helping others. You can help others recover from illnesses and injuries that cause them pain and restrict their movement. Physical therapists use body manipulation, exercises, stretches and other techniques to help people reduce their pain and improve their mobility.
In order to become a physical therapist, you need to complete a DPT degree program, which typically takes three years after college. Some programs can help you earn your DPT and your bachelor’s degree at the same time over six or seven years.
Recent findings hint those physical therapists have the second-highest moderate job satisfaction ratings in the world, just behind clergy members. What’s more, physical therapists surely can’t complain about their income and opportunities for job growth. It’s estimated that the median income for this field is $73,400.
As you can see, some of the jobs on this list require an advanced degree. While this might hinder you from seeking a new career prospect, there are still plenty of satisfying jobs out there to fit people from all backgrounds and of all personalities. That said, if none of the job prospects on this list seems like a perfect fit for you, there is a good chance of finding one that can keep you content and pay your bills at the same time.
To find the job that really lights your fire, think about your personal interests and skills, seek those jobs that match them, and then rely on platforms to see how satisfying these jobs are for other people.
