When it comes time to find a job, what’s most important to you? For some, it’s a high salary, so that they can live comfortably and freely. For others, it’s flexibility, with the power to work around their family’s needs. But for many people, they are called to a career that makes a difference—one that helps people, serves the community, and supports the greater good.

If you are looking for a job that helps the community, where you will be driven by passion and purpose, you are in the right place. Below, we explore the breadth of career options available for those looking to serve the communities in which they live, play, and work. These span a variety of fields, from healthcare to public safety and beyond.

Healthcare Jobs that Help the Community

Healthcare is a field dedicated to helping people in need. Professionals across all stretches of healthcare work hard to identify health conditions, treat illness, prevent disease, repair injuries, ease recovery, and educate patients about good, preventive health. Many healthcare jobs deliver direct care to people in need, while others operate behind the scenes, compiling the research and laboratory testing needed to stay on the forefront of medicine.

Below are common examples of healthcare jobs that help the community:

• Dental hygienist: Provides regular dental cleanings, examines oral health, screens for dental conditions, and educates patients on proper, preventive dental care.
• Health administrator: Manages and oversees healthcare facilities, departments, staff, and operations to ensure efficient and high-quality patient care in communities.
• Medical assistant: Acts as a critical support to healthcare teams, carrying out clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices and clinics to help streamline overall care.
• Medical biller and coder: Translates medical procedures, patient histories, and diagnoses into billing codes, so that insurance claims get filed and providers get compensated for their services.
• Medical laboratory technician: Conducts various lab tests to help diagnose conditions, including evaluating blood, tissue, and fluid samples for providers.
• Nurse practitioner (APRN): Delivers advanced patient care, often acting as a primary care provider to diagnose and prescribe medications.
• Occupational therapist and therapy assistant: Work together to help their patients develop or regain the skills needed for daily living and functioning.
• Physician (MD/DO): Diagnoses and treats illnesses and medical conditions in patients, acting as a key provider for people requiring medical attention.
• Registered nurse: Delivers direct, hands-on patient care to those who are sick, injured, and disabled, as well as coordinates treatment plans.
• Respiratory therapist: Evaluates and treats patients with cardiopulmonary disorders and breathing problems.

Learn how to launch a meaningful career in healthcare right here!

Public Health Jobs that Help the Community

Public health is all about protecting and improving the health of populations and communities. Rather than treating individuals, public health professionals develop and research large-scale initiatives that can be implemented in communities. For example, public health specialists work hard to track and prevent the spread of disease, respond to emergencies and natural disasters, as well as address the social and environmental issues that affect our well-being. They might research new immunizations, implement policies around water pollution, create educational programs in low-income populations, or facilitate access to health resources in rural communities.

Here are some examples of public health professions that serve the community:

• Biostatistician: Analyzes health data and trends to inform research, develop public health policies, and protect the greater good.
• Community health worker: Acts as a liaison between communities and public health providers, ensuring people receive basic health education and access to healthcare resources in their areas.
• Child development specialist: Conducts assessments and interventions in various early childhood settings to help support children’s development.
• Disaster preparedness coordinator: Plans for emergencies (such as natural disasters, terrorism, and more) and organizes community responses to ensure preparedness.
• Epidemiologist: Studies and analyzes disease patterns, outbreaks, and population data to prevent and control infection.
• Public health educator: Teaches individuals and communities how to maintain and improve health, particularly in underserved populations.
• Public health director: Oversees public health programs, initiatives, and policies that help to improve health and wellness in communities.
• Sanitarian: Inspects environments (such as workplaces, restaurants, schools, and communities) for health hazards such as unsafe food, water, or sanitation.

Public Safety Jobs that Protect the Community

Public safety professionals are core to our communities, safeguarding the places where we live, work, and play. On a daily basis, these professionals protect communities from crime, emergencies, threats, and harm—preventing accidents, responding to crises, and imposing laws.

In general, public safety jobs include those in law enforcement, emergency response, and disaster management. Examples of public safety jobs that serve the community include, but are not limited to:

• Correctional officer: Protects inmates in correctional facilities, as well as maintains general safety and security within jails.
• Emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic: Responds to medical emergencies, providing care in critical situations.
• Firefighter: Responds to fires, accidents, and other emergencies that occur in communities, helping to protect both lives and property.
• Police officer: Enforces laws, investigates crimes, and ensures public safety within communities.
• Transportation safety administrator: Ensures commutes and travel systems remain safe for people by overseeing regulations and safety protocols (in airports, train stations, and more).
• 911 dispatcher: Receives emergency calls and dispatches the appropriate response teams, whether that’s law enforcement, fire response, or an ambulance.

Social and Human Service Jobs that Serve the Community

The social services and human services fields are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. These professionals work to improve individuals’ quality of life and facilitate access to resources that will meet people’s basic needs. For example, social service workers might help victims of domestic violence rebuild their confidence and independence. Human services workers might help homeless veterans or foster care children find permanent homes. These are just some of the many examples of service-focused careers that help the community:

• Case manager: At a high level, coordinates services for clients trying to navigate health or social systems.
• Child welfare specialist: Works to protect and support vulnerable children, such as those in foster care or low-income communities.
• Community outreach worker: Connects underserved populations with essential community resources.
• Rehabilitation counselor: Helps people with disabilities regain independence and well-being, as well as achieve personal and professional goals.
• Probation officer: Supervises those who have been released from prison or who are on probation, assisting with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
• Social worker: Supports and counsels people facing various challenges in their lives.
• Substance abuse counselor: Guides, advises, and assists individuals who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.
• Victims advocate: Supports crime victims through emotional assistance, legal advocacy, and referrals to valuable resources within the community.

Educational Jobs that Help the Community

Teachers are some of the most important figures in our communities, but they are just one example of the many impactful, educational jobs out there. Several careers focus on teaching, supporting, and empowering people through education. In schools and beyond, educational professionals help build stronger and more informed communities.

Here are a few examples of educational jobs that make a difference:

• Educator: Teaches students in academic or training settings, helping them develop key skills and knowledge at various levels (elementary, high school, college, vocational, and beyond).
• Educational administrator: Oversees schools and/or educational programs, such as deans or principals.
• Instructional designer: Develops learning materials and programs for schools or organizations in the community.
• School counselor: Helps students with academic, emotional, and career development and guides them through any concerns or challenges.
• Teacher leader: Acts as a key influencer and leader in education, guiding teachers to improve instructional practices and student outcomes.

Find a Job that Helps Your Community

Studies show that people who find their jobs meaningful and enjoyable are more productive and happy (and therefore more likely to stay in their role). That said, if you are seeking a career that is focused on helping others in the community, then be sure to prioritize that in your job search. Doing so now can contribute to long-term happiness, fulfillment, and success.

And the good news? There are so many options to consider! Whether you wish to provide direct care to patients in need, protect the streets against crime, reintegrate people into society, or respond to emergencies and disasters, there is an incredibly helpful career out there for you.

Goodwin University can help you get there. With a variety of healthcare, public health, social service, human service, and educational programs, our career-focused offerings can position you for a career you love.

Learn more by requesting information online, today.