Recent polls suggest that workers are less satisfied than ever in their careers. In a down economy, companies tighten their belts and take drastic measures including pay cuts, withholding of raises and office rearrangements intended to save the organization on leasing space. Many feel stuck because so many others are competing for so few openings. The best jobs for employee satisfaction are those where the person is able to use his or her skills to help others face to face.
Best Careers for Job Satisfaction in Healthcare
According to CNN Money, the best jobs for employee satisfaction are Anesthesiologists and Nurse Anesthetists. Anesthesiologists are trained medical doctors who administer anesthesia before surgery, and are among the highest paid specialists in the medical industry. Because of drug interactions and other medical issues, the Anesthesiologist must make sure the dosages and administration of anesthesia are handled properly.
Nurse Anesthetists, a sub-specialty of nursing, work alongside Anesthesiologists to help administer anesthesia, regulate anesthesia during surgery and ensure the health of the patient after surgery. Pay for this healthcare profession is above average, and Nurse Anesthetists report deep job satisfaction in taking care of their patients before and after every procedure.
Nurse Practitioners are in a similar boat as Physician Assistants in that they are beginning to take over many of the traditional duties of a formally trained medical doctor. They can diagnose medical ailments and prescribe medications as well as perform their traditional caretaking tasks. Nurse Practitioners who specialize in fields of medicine such as gynecology, urology or oncology can earn a higher salary and enjoy more regular working hours.
Best Jobs for Career Satisfaction in Education and Human Resources
Following along the lines of an occupation that helps people face to face, the best careers for job satisfaction also include Training Consultants, Training and Development Managers and Human Resources Managers. Training Consultants utilize their expertise in adult education to help companies develop instructional programs. They develop classroom manuals, user guides and other instructional materials; conduct formal classroom training; and use the latest in technology to help people learn new tasks.
Training and Development Managers also rank high for the best jobs for career satisfaction. They are educated teachers who possess intimate knowledge of adult learning theory and technological tools to help students learn complex concepts quickly. They design and implement training programs for companies as well as perform assessments of training materials to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
Human Resources Managers deal with people in a corporate setting. They are responsible for all people related efforts at the company including recruitment, benefits, training, compensation and special events. Many HR Managers consider the job fun – another reason why this occupation ranks as one of the best careers for job satisfaction.
The best careers for job satisfaction may not necessarily be the highest paying jobs in the industry. Yet clearly, they all have one trait in common: physical face time with those whom they are helping, whether in a medical, educational or corporate setting.
Daniel Gansle - Daniel J. Gansle is the author of 2012: Day of Reckoning, graduate of Anthropological Studies and expert in ancient Mayan culture.
