Five In-Demand Careers That Make a Difference

by Jessica Hanley, FindtheRightSchool.com

If you're contemplating a career change, you may be interested in seeking work that makes a difference in peoples' lives. And many careers that give you opportunities to help others also offer job security in fast-growing fields.

Online education and other training options can prepare you for a career you feel good about, without forcing you to sacrifice your current income. Here are five such careers that are expected to grow faster than average in the next several years.

1. Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers teach students with cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities. With school enrollment of special needs students rising, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment of special education teachers to rise by 17 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2008, special education teachers in elementary schools earned an average of $52,970; those in high schools earned an average of $55,050.

State licensing for special education teachers generally requires a bachelor's degree in special education or completion of a state-approved licensing program. A master's degree in special education may be required. Several on-campus and online degree programs can help you prepare for this rewarding, in-demand career.

2. Occupational Therapist Assistant

Occupational therapists help people with physical and mental disabilities navigate everyday life and work. These therapists depend on their assistants to help patients perform exercises and to monitor patient activity and progress. In 2008, the average salary for occupational therapist assistants was $48,440, and the BLS expects the field to grow by 30 percent through 2018.

Occupational therapist assistants are required to earn an associate's degree in occupational therapy and pass a national licensing exam before beginning work. Associate's degree programs in occupational therapy take approximately two years to complete and include basic anatomy, health, and physiology courses, in addition to clinical experience.

3. Registered Nurse

Registered nurses work in hospitals, care centers, and medical offices to help evaluate and care for patients. According to the BLS, nurses earned an average of $65,130 in 2008, and employment is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Registered nurses must be licensed by their state, and most prepare for licensing by earning either an associate's degree in nursing or a bachelor's of science in nursing from an accredited nursing school. Online degree programs in nursing are becoming more abundant and allow you to work toward a degree without giving up your current job.

4. Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians work with licensed pharmacists to fill prescriptions, assist customers, and stock the shelves of pharmacies. Pharmacy technicians earned an average of $28,500 in 2008, and the BLS expects their employment to increase by 31 percent through 2018.

Pharmacy technicians don't have strict educational requirements, but many employers prefer to hire technicians who have completed high school and a formal pharmacy technician education program. These programs range from six months to two years in length and ensure basic pharmaceutical knowledge and laboratory skills.

5. Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to improve overall mental health. Many patients of mental health counselors suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, or stress, and counselors use a variety of therapeutic techniques to address these problems. The BLS expects employment of mental health counselors to increase by 24 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2008, mental health counselors earned an average of $40,270.

Though licensing requirements vary by state, most mental health counselors are required to have a master's degree in psychology or clinical mental health counseling. Most mental health master's degree programs take between two and three years to complete and include a period of supervised clinical experience. Online degree programs in psychology allow you to work toward a master's degree without leaving your current job.

Making a Difference

Helping other people could be a way to help yourself to a more rewarding career. If you have compassion, dedication, and a desire to make the world a better place, seek out training centers, local colleges, and online degree programs that can help you make a transition.

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