Five jobs that help people

Five jobs that help people by Michael Cheary Looking for a job you really care about?Whatever industry you’re in, the most satisfying positions are the ones that represent more than just a paycheque. Working to help other people definitely fits into this category. Not only is it incredibly rewarding, it can also play to your strengths. Especially if you’re already of a compassionate and conscientious disposition.To help you find a role worth waking up for, here are five jobs that help people â€" and how to get into them:Financial AdvisorWhat they do: Financial Advisors provide key insight, information and advice on how best to manage people’s money. By assessing the continually changing conditions in the economy, they can recommend the best services to maximise income. Financial advisors can specialise in specific areas, such as investment banking, pension schemes or mortgage plans, or offer generalised services.What you need: While a degree in business management, accountancy or any other financ ial discipline is preferred, it’s possible to enter the industry without qualifications. In fact, interpersonal skills, analytics and mathematical abilities are sometimes prioritised even more highly than degrees.What you can earn: Trainee Financial Advisors can expect an entry salary of between £22,000 and £30,000, while the most experienced Wealth Managers (especially those contracted to private banks) can earn in excess of £100,000.Perfect for: People who like spending other people’s money.Our advice: You could begin your career as a Paraplanner (sort of like a Research Assistant to a Financial Advisor) or by participating in a graduate training scheme with a bank. Any position in the world of finance will serve you in a good stead if you wish to move into financial advising.How to become a Financial AdvisorView all Financial Advisor jobsHealthcare AssistantWhat they do: Healthcare Assistants (or HCAs) provide basic levels of care to injured, sick or elderly people. This c ould take place with the NHS, in a private hospital or at a nursing home, and would involve day-to-day tasks of feeding, washing, clothing and caring for patients, as well as tidying their room, making their bed and communicating with them on a daily basis.What you need: Since you’ll be in close contact with unwell individuals all of the time, you’ll need a positivity, enthusiasm, great people skills and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and pitch in with plenty of hard work. These qualities are far more important than any academic qualifications, though basic grades in English and Mathematics at school can be helpful.What you can earn: Healthcare Assistants will normally start out on a salary between £15,000 and £18,000, with the opportunity for that to rise to above £20,000 as you gain more experience.Perfect for: People who care about people.Our advice: With very little academic qualifications required, practical experience is your best bet for getting your foot in the door. Volunteering at your local hospital or care home will give you the necessary knowhow to land yourself a job.How to become a Healthcare AssistantView all Healthcare Assistant jobsPolice Community Support Officer (PCSO)What they do: PCSOs work on the frontlines of the police force, patrolling neighbourhoods and providing a visible presence on the streets. Though they do not have the power of regular Police Officers, they can help to reassure citizens in stressful situations, diffuse tension before it becomes a problem and prevent crime scenes from being tampered with.What you need: Qualifications are less important than physical fitness, a clean criminal record and the ability to deal with the daily pressures of the job. This means you’ll have to keep a level head even in the most nerve-wracking of situations, as well as being able to communicate effectively.What you can earn: PCSOs come in on a starting salary of around £18,000, rising to £23,000 with the right level of ex perience in the field.Perfect for: People who want to serve their community (and/or wear a fancy hat).Our advice: Any experience in community work â€" whether that be as simple as helping out at local town meetings or gaining experience as a Special Constable â€" will reflect favourably on your application. A full driving license might also be required.View all Community Support Officer jobsSpecial Educational Needs (SEN) TeacherWhat they do: An SEN Teacher works with young people who have learning difficulties. This can take the form of a physical disability, mental impairments, language problems, dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s Syndrome or other condition. On a day-to-day basis, their work will consist of pinpointing the individual’s unique needs and working to create an environment in which these are catered for.What you need: In England and Wales, SEN Teachers must first gain qualified teacher status (QTS) while Scottish schools require a teaching qualification (TQ). There are a number of different ways of achieving this, including getting hold of a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), a Bachelor of Education (BoE) or taking part in the Teach First training course. A DBS check will also be required.What you can earn: Newly qualified SEN Teachers can expect to earn around £24,000, while the most experienced workers can receive as much as £37,500.Perfect for: People who believe children are the future.Our advice: Acquiring the teaching qualification is the first and most important step to a career in SEN teaching. Taking an entry level or Teaching Assistant position in a school prior to moving into SEN is a common career path, and the majority of SEN Teachers will have worked in the education sector beforehand.View all SEN Teacher jobsSpeech TherapistWhat they do: Speech Therapists handle children and adults who struggle with communication, helping them to overcome insecurities and disabilities in order to make themselves understood. This may inv olve working with sufferers of dementia, stammers, speech impediments, cleft palates and other language problems, as well as people who have eating and drinking complications.What you need: All Speech Therapists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and complete a degree approved by the body. Aside from academia, you’ll also need superb listening skills and an ability to patiently communicate with others.What you can earn: Speech Therapists generally earn around £22,000 as a starting salary, and as much as £28,500 over time. Highly specialised Therapists can earn in excess of £40,000.Perfect for: People who prefer listening to talking.Our advice: Register with the HCPC as soon as possible and, in the meantime, seek out work experience opportunities with your local Speech Therapist practice. Experience in related fields of care work, such as nursing homes or hospitals, can also work to enhance your CV and boost your chances of getting a job.How t o become a Speech TherapistView all Speech Therapist jobsJobs in the care industryStill searching for a career to change to?  View all available jobs now