Five jobs that make a difference

Five jobs that make a difference by Michael Cheary For some people, a great career means more than a high salary… But whilst it might be clear how a job in healthcare, education or the emergency services could help people, there are plenty of other jobs out there which could really make a difference to people’s lives â€" many of them in industries you might not even have considered.We’ve already covered some careers that help people, but here are five jobs that make a difference â€" and how to get into them.CBT Therapist What they do: CBT Therapists (also known as Cognitive Behaviour Therapists) provide treatment and emotional support to clients who are dealing with issues affecting their mental health. Differing from other forms of talking therapy, CBT aims to change the way the client thinks and behaves â€" and is focused on overcoming your current (rather than past) problems. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders and OCD, amongst other conditions, can all potentially be treated through CBT.What you need: Sensitivity, empathy and compassion are all vital qualities for a CBT Therapist. You will often need a postgraduate CBT qualification to get started, although it is possible to break into the industry with previous experience in mental health â€" combined with the right training.What you can earn: Anywhere from £25,000 for a starting position, through to £50,000 for more experienced Therapists with a proven track record of success.Perfect for: People who love to listen.Our advice: You’ll need to be fully-qualified in order to start work as a CBT Therapist â€" but that doesn’t necessarily need to mean going back to uni. There are a wide range of accredited courses out there to get CBT certified, and prices for some start at well under £100. Even if it’s just a foundation course, you’ll learn the fundamentals. Not to mention figure out if a career in CBT is really right for you.How to become a CBT TherapistView all CBT Therapist jobsConservationist     What they do: W ork with the government, landowners and local authorities to help protect places, wildlife, and natural resources. They can specialise in a wide range of different disciplines, covering everything from ecology and the environment through to individual plant and animal species. But whether they’re in the lab conducting research, or collecting samples in the field, their job is all about helping to protect the planet â€" not just for us, but for future generations to enjoy.What you need: You’ll usually need a degree in a scientific discipline (e.g. biology, or environmental science) in order to become a Conservationist. Aside from an interest in ecology, excellent research and interpersonal skills are definite must-haves as is a love for working outdoors.What you can earn: Entry level Conservationist roles generally start at around £20,000, with senior salaries offering as much as £40,000.Perfect for: People who are passionate about preservation.Our advice: Conservation is an i ncredibly open field, but your greatest chance for success is finding an area you can really get excited about. Additionally, you should be able to demonstrate that you’re actually part of the conservation community â€" whether it’s helping out in the field, or talking to likeminded people online to get news on any upcoming events. Even something as simple as becoming active with your local conservation society could be enough to tip the balance in your favour.View all Conservation jobsNot-for-profit workerWhat they do: Work in a variety of different roles in the charity sector, from fundraising on the frontlines, through to more traditional jobs, such as finance, marketing and tech. As it’s such a broad field, not-for-profit jobs allow you utilise your skills and use them to get behind a cause you’re really passionate about â€" and help make a difference to lives right across the world.What you need: An active interest in your cause will definitely help â€" not just for you r own peace of mind, but also for your productivity levels. Enthusiasm and positivity will also be key. Formal qualifications will depend on the area you’re moving into, but may not be essential.What you can earn: It’ll all depend on what role you move into. However, despite what you may think about the charity sector, the earning potential can be pretty impressive â€" with wages rising to more than £50,000 for top level employees.Perfect for: People who believe that charity begins at home (but don’t think it should stay there).Our advice: Once you’ve found the right cause for you, seek voluntary roles with an organisation that aligns with your beliefs. That way you’ll start building some valuable experience and expanding your skillset, whilst adding real value and relevant talking points to your CV. And, if you impress enough through volunteering (and the right opportunity comes up), you might even do enough to earn a full-time position.View all Charity jobsResearcher Wh at they do: Collect, study and analyse complex information in their chosen field, and use their findings to help move industry and technology forward. Scientific Researchers, for example, could work on a range of causes, from cancer treatments to a cure for the common cold â€" and the basis of their research could go on to have huge implications on everything from the environment, to healthcare and overall quality of life.What you need: Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills, as well as a healthy dose of patience and perseverance. A science degree will be essential for most research roles.What you can earn: Graduate Researchers can expect to take home around £20,000, although this will rise to the £40,000 mark with a good level of experience.Perfect for: People who look good in lab coats.Our advice: It may sound obvious, but it’s essential for anyone interested in research to effectively demonstrate these skills in their application. In other words, it’s not enoug h to simply have a science degree â€" you actually need to show what you’ve accomplished through your research. One effective way of doing this is  using your cover letter to explain how learnings during a previous module or experiment positively affected the outcome (e.g. by doing X, we learned Y, which resulted in Z).How to become a ResearcherView all Researcher jobsRenewable energy workerWhat they do: Help to combat climate change by working on more sustainable energy sources, such as wind, water and solar. By reducing carbon emissions they’re providing a cleaner and safer environment, and forging a more dependable solution to our energy and electrical power needs â€" whether they’re in engineering themselves, or working in other roles such as design, architecture and project management.What you need: As there are a range of different opportunities available in this sector, a wide variety of skillsets and qualifications will be considered. However, a commitment to finding c leaner energy and reducing our carbon footprint will be an absolutely necessity.What you can earn: Will vary by position â€" from around £25,000 for an Energy Consultant or entry-level Engineer, right up to almost £100,000 for experienced Engineers and Service Technicians.Perfect for: People who think coal is so last century.Our advice: Renewable energy is a growing sector, with well over 150,000 people working in the field â€" a number that’s likely to increase dramatically in the next few years. With new developments being made on a daily basis, now is the perfect time to break into the industry â€" especially in engineering, where there is currently a skills shortage. And don’t just think of the bigger employers. There are plenty of opportunities out there with smaller energy companies, both inside and outside the UK.View all Energy jobs  Honourable mentions: Surgeon, Health Care Advisor, Care Worker, Teaching Assistant, Urban Agriculturalist.Ready to make a difference? Fin d a job you love today.