Helping People

Do you have a natural gift for helping those around you? There are a number of careers that will allow you to make the world a better place. If you enjoy working with children, you might find that being a teacher or a childcare worker will allow you to make a huge difference in the lives of those around you. Drawn to a life in the medical world? Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals save lives every day. Firefighters also prove their heroism on a daily basis. If you're dedicated to a life of good deeds, the world needs you!

NURSE

In a Nutshell

Nurses take care of sick and injured people in doctor's offices, clinics, home health and hospitals. Nurses can specialize in clinical or surgical care or work in specialized environments including midwifery, geriatric care, mental health and pediatrics.

Registered Nurse (RN) - has an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing and teaches other nurses how to give medical tests, ask patients about symptoms and performs some treatment. Typically works in a hospital or doctor's office.
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) - obtains vocational nursing training that isn't as advanced as an RN. Can work in hospital, nursing home or office settings.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - learns skills similar to an LVN but focuses on working in a doctor's office.
Physical Therapist - performs specialized treatment for recovering patients.

Get Ahead

Prepare for nursing courses by studying sciences in high school.
Nursing involves clinical training. Some nursing jobs require training beyond associate degree.
High-earning positions for nurses include director of nursing at a hospital or planning and marketing positions with large health care firms.
Some nurses obtain training and serve in the military at home and overseas.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of all registered nurses earned between $49,810 and $73,170 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $32,310 and $45,300.
Nationally, the middle half of the licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned between $30,560 and $51,860 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $31,850 and $42,290.

They Did It

Bonnie Hunt, talk show host.

TEACHER

In a Nutshell

Teachers work with children of all ages, backgrounds and ability levels. In Texas, public school teachers have to earn a four-year college degree and a state teacher certificate. Teachers have to be good planners so they can keep students busy and interested. Teachers often will teach more than one subject. During the school year, teachers often work more than 40 hours a week, but they have almost all the vacation days that students get. Texas needs more math and science teachers to meet the demands of the growing population.

Teachers - instruct in a wide range of subjects and age groups.
Coaches - become certified to work with students in mandatory P.E. classes and coach students in competitive sports.
Administrators - a range of positions, from secretarial work requiring computer skills and a high school diploma to principal or superintendent positions that often require advanced degrees.

Get Ahead

Teachers have to be good leaders in the classroom.
Look at teaching from the teacher's point of view by shadowing, tutoring or volunteering in a classroom.
Teachers have to practice teaching with a qualified teacher.
Skills in different subject areas or extracurricular activities will help teachers get jobs, especially in competitive fields.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of middle school teachers earned between $38,870 and $60,460 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $38,960 and $50,860.
Nationally, the middle half of elementary and secondary school administrators earned between $65,210 and $98,480 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $57,820 and $78,280.

They Did It

Every one of the teachers who has taught you in your educational career.

CHILDCARE WORKER

In a Nutshell

Childcare workers usually teach and care for young children. They need patience, energy and need to want to have fun. Some childcare workers will look after the same children for long periods of a time either in their own home or the child's home. Good childcare workers have to keep parents informed about things they notice, such as learning progress and health issues. Administrators ensure state and federal regulations are obeyed.

Daycare Worker — care for young children while their parents are at work.
Teaching Assistants —Work in schools, usually with small group of children with specific needs.
Administrators — Be able to lead and guide other employees, uphold regulations.

Get Ahead

Childcare workers can often start without experience.
Learn from experienced workers.
Early childhood education classes can help get a better job; music and drama knowledge can prepare workers to be successful with the children in their care.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of child cares workers earned between $15,560 and $22,810 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $13,290 and $18,470.
Nationally, the middle half of childcare center administrators earned between $30,560 and $51,860 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $25,930 and $41,080.

FIREFIGHTER

In a Nutshell

Firefighters respond to emergency situations. Often they will tackle building fires and brush fires or free people from car wrecks or other situations. In smaller communities, firefighters can be volunteers who also have a paid job or are retired. Some cities require firefighters to be trained in emergency medicine or as paramedics.

Driver - responsible for safely driving fire trucks in emergency situations, maintaining equipment and fighting fires.
Firefighter - a full-time firefighter usually works shifts with one day working and two off; while working, he or she sleeps at the firehouse to respond at any time of the day or night.
Forest Service Firefighter - responds to wild fires that are too big for local departments to tackle.
EMT/Paramedic - responds to emergency situations either in an ambulance or fire truck.
Chief - leads and guides other employees, upholds regulations and ensures equipment is working and replaced when needed.

Get Ahead

Basic experience and training can be obtained by volunteering as a firefighter.
Firefighters must be fit and have good written and communication skills to command dangerous scenes and write reports later.
Teamwork is an important factor for firefighters to remain safe on the job.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of firefighters earned between $30,650 and $56,500 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $34,900 and $52,960.

They Did It

Red Adair — Houston native who specialized in fighting oil well fires around the world.

SOCIAL WORKER

In a Nutshell

Social workers help people who are having trouble. They might specialize in caring for children, families or individuals in poverty, victims of violence and seniors who need to make decisions about health or residential care. Some social workers help people with mental health, drug or alcohol problems find appropriate treatment.

Counselors - advise people with problems and guide them on decision-making.
Clergy - often guide people who have serious problems, including financial, marital or addiction.
Probation Officers - guide people who have committed misdemeanor and felony crimes, but who are not serving jail sentences.

Get Ahead

Most social workers need at least a bachelor's degree to get the job they want. Many also will obtain additional training or an advanced degree.
Social workers need to identify a client's problems, and understand the economics of managing resources.
Students can volunteer as peer mentors to practice helping people.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of all child, family and school social workers earned between $30,250 and $50,530 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $27,700 and $38,7700.
Nationally, the middle half of medical and public health social workers earned betwe en $35,260 and $55,740 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $34,430 and $54,210.

DOCTOR

In a Nutshell

Doctors help sick people. They can specialize in diagnosing and treating many sickness types and caring for different age groups. Doctors can be called on any time of the day or night. They study for many years and must continually train throughout their careers. They use science as a basis for treatment and know a lot about medicines and how they help patients.

Dentists/Oral Surgeons - focus on treating teeth and mouth illness.
Chiropractors - obtain advanced training, but not necessarily a medical doctorate for treating pain using physical therapy.
Nurse Practitioners/Phyisican's Assistants - complete advanced nursing training, usually a master's degree and obtain licensing that allows them to diagnose and treat some patients.
Optometrists - diagnoses eyesight problems and prescribes glasses or contact lenses.

Get Ahead

Most medical professionals who treat patients will study for a doctorate. Many science courses are needed and students have to do very well in college to be accepted to a medical school.
Doctors work with their patients to make them better and need to like to help people, talk with sick people and help them make decisions about their health.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of all dentists earned from $100,040 to more than $145,600 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $92,490 and more than $145,600.
Nationally, the middle half of all family practice physicians earned from $113,480 to more than $145,600 a year.
In Texas, they earned between $81,930 and more than $145,600.

Based on material developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.