Satisfaction. It’s an important word, which means something different for each of us. For some, it’s getting to the next level on that challenging computer game. For others, it’s saving lives on a daily basis.

In all its forms, satisfaction is valid and important. When it comes down to it, it’s often the thing with which we judge our lives. When we look back on each year, we consider how much we have achieved. When we look back on our lives, many of us wonder how much of an impact our actions have had.

It’s no surprise, then, that many people look for jobs which bring bucket loads of satisfaction. Despite care work not being the best-paid job in the world, many people seek it out. If nothing else, that’s a true testament to how important we consider satisfaction in our lives. For some of us, though, the care industry isn’t the right path. It takes a lot of patience and inner strength to get along in a career like this. As such, it’s not going to suit everyone.

But, not wanting to care for others shouldn’t put an end to your dreams of job satisfaction. In fact, there are plenty of other jobs which can bring just as much joy. We may not hear about them often, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t out there. To give you some idea of your options, we’re going to look at a few here:

Working With Children: What could be more satisfying than having an impact on future generations? While teachers may not get the same credit as, say, doctors, they definitely deserve to. These are the people who are shaping young minds. Many big ideas for the future will be planted in today’s classrooms.

Cute!

If you don’t fancy the classroom, why not consider social work? Again, you’ll be having an enormous impact on the futures of kids. You’ll get the opportunity to form real bonds with the children you work with. It’s no easy task, though, as you’ll also have to decide when you separate families. To go down this route, you would also need to get the right qualifications. But, with options like online master’s social work courses, there’s no reason why you can’t get going. A job worth caring about is worth working for.

These are by no means the only options when it comes to kids, either. You could also opt for something like youth club supervision or pre-school work. The satisfaction will be there, but you won’t have to return to study to achieve it.

Working With Animals: They say don’t work with children or animals, and we’ve broken both of those rules already. But, if you have a soft spot for four-legged friends, an animal option could be the career for you. In many ways, this is like a care job. If anything, the satisfaction levels could be higher because fewer people consider it.

Again, there are a few different options. At the extreme end of the scale, you could become a vet. Bear in mind, though, that veterinary studies are extensive and will take a long time to complete. As an excellent alternative, you could always work as a veterinary receptionist. You’ll still get the chance to give advice and make a difference, but you don’t need qualifications to do so. If you have a desire to work with animals, search for veterinarian jobs near you to get your career started.

Or, you could opt to work in a rescue center. These jobs are often hard to come by, but making a difference to unwanted animals is about as good as it gets. If you manage to work your way to the top, you’ll be going into some nasty situations. There’s no denying that it can be traumatic, but you’ll be able to remove animals by working with the police. A good way to start would be to volunteer. This in itself will help your quest, and, if they like what they see, big things may follow.

Last, but by no means least, you could work as a conservationist in a zoo. Here, you’ll be working hard to breed and reintroduce animals into the wild. Not only does this help the animals themselves, but also the planet as a whole. Go get ‘em, tiger!

I NEED this bunny!!

Get Artsy: How about trying your hand at an artistic pursuit? Artists often get a bad rep and, let’s be honest; it’s one of the hardest careers to make a go in. But, the satisfaction stakes here are high, because many of us measure our overall satisfaction based on the mark we leave. And, nothing’s quite so good at making a mark as art in all of its forms.

Of course, your artistic pursuit can be whatever you want it to be. Have you been songwriting for years in private? Do you have a secret skill with paint that no one’s seen since school? Whatever your strength, it’s time to take it out of the closet. The majority of us have some creative outlet we could put to use and there’s no better time than the present to use it!

Pixabay Image

Open A Restaurant: Who would have thought that a restaurant would find its way onto the most satisfying jobs list? We did, which is why it’s here! Owning a restaurant may not be up there with saving lives. But, its place on this list is well deserved and here’s why:

Life is stressful. Work gets on top of us, and there’s rarely a respite. Even when we’re at home, we’re often thinking about what we need to do the next day. It never ends. Unless you don’t head home after work. You get dressed up and go out to eat. Finally, you can enjoy yourself and relax. There’s no worries, no pressures, and best of all, no washing up!

If we didn’t have restaurants to escape to, the world would be a much darker place. We joke, but it’s true. Everyone needs an escape and someone needs to create it. Let that person be you by opening up a restaurant.

In a way, the artistic aspect comes into play here, too. Because it’s not just enough to open any old space and serve food. You need to leave your mark by creating a beautiful place to spend time in. You’ll need to get everything right, from the decor to the ambience and the food. Are you convinced yet? Good. You should be.

And who DOESN’T love eating?!

Reasonable Real Estate: When you think about it, it’s baffling that real-estate doesn’t appear on more satisfying jobs lists. What could be better than knowing you’ve put roofs over people’s heads when they needed them most? You may not be restarting their heart with your bare hands, but you’re ensuring that they have a high quality of life. At least, you could be.

Unlike the other jobs mentioned, the satisfaction involved depends completely on you. If you become a bad landlord, you won’t see the rewards. You won’t be able to rest easy if you’re overcharging or failing to fix issues. In fact, the plan will backfire in a major way. Sure, you’ll make more money. But satisfaction isn’t about money, remember?

Instead, you need to do things right. Offer as reasonable a price as possible so that you give more people a chance to get a place. Make sure that you’re a reliable contact, by answering any queries as soon as humanly possible. And, make sure to pay for repairs the moment they need doing. It’s all simple stuff and that’s all it takes to make real-estate a satisfying option. Give it a go and see where it gets you!

So, there are a few of your options. As you can see, they all have their benefits, even if you wouldn’t have assumed them to be satisfying. And these aren’t the only unexpectedly satisfying careers. You can make a difference in any number of ways if you know how!