What Job Will Make You Happy?

Everyone wants a job that makes them happy. But there are varying degrees of happiness, and what satisfies one person’s happiness may not be the right fit for the neighbour next door. For some, working with kids sounds like the most wonderful thing in the world, while for others, it sounds like a nightmare. It’s clear, however, that people who find meaning and purpose in their work are often happier than those who don’t. 

What makes people happy? 

Job satisfaction is highly personal and will largely depend what someone prioritises in life and what you value most. For many people though, things such as a low-stress environment, decent salary, supportive colleagues and management, and the opportunity to do work that interests them are high happiness indicators. 

While many people believe a high salary is an indicator of happiness, it’s important to remember that the job may not be fulfilling, which can actually have a negative impact on the way you emotionally and mentally tackle the tasks. Also, when it comes to job satisfaction, many people note that career progression, company culture and company reputation rank highly, as this can largely impact the way every employee works and collaborates. 

The happiest jobs 

Generally speaking, there are jobs that seem to rank higher on the happiness and satisfaction ladder than others. 

1. Education 

Whether it’s teaching, administration, teaching assistants or working in a daycare, people working in education report high levels of job satisfaction. While teachers aren’t paid nearly as much as they deserve, it all comes down to helping the next generation find their feet, educate them on what matters and being there to watch them grow and develop. 

1. Nursing

Providing care to patients can give someone great fulfilment, and put a smile not only on the patients face but also the nurses. Working in hospitals, doctor’s offices, aged care facilities or even home care, nurses are some of the most caring people around. Many believe they are suited to the job, which means they feel happy and satisfied that they are doing it correctly. 

1. Emergency services

Emergency service personnel provide direct service to the public, often rescuing them from harm’s way. Firefighters and paramedics especially are some of the happiest in their jobs. While the job can be very stressful, it’s very fulfilling work. Even though they are being paid, like every other job, there is a sense of giving back to the community which ranks very highly on the job satisfaction scale. 

1. Dental 

Dentists and dental hygienists are some of the happiest people in their jobs. Again, it boils down to helping others. For many dentists as well, it comes down to the fact that they work in small teams, which for some people, is a very important factor when it comes to happiness. Dental hygienists are also some of the happiest when it comes to their career. For most dental hygienists, it comes down to getting to build relationships with patients, while at the same time, helping them improve their oral health. 

1. Therapists  

Physical therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists and radiation therapists, the list could go on. For people in the profession of therapy, arguably one of the best parts of their job is helping people improve, physically, mentally and emotionally. They’re helping people get back to their day-to-day lives which is a big tick on the job satisfaction front, especially because often, they are working with people of all ages so it’s a varied and interesting role. 

1. Medical profession

Whether it’s GPs, surgeons, optometrists, those in the medical profession seem to be some of the happiest people around. Again, it can be a highly stressful job, but again, it comes down to helping people figure out what is wrong and providing the tools to cure or ease symptoms. Interestingly, 78% of optometrists find satisfaction and meaning in their work. 

Considering your career 

One thing to keep in mind is that interests and passions always change. What one person enjoys now may not be the same in five years’ time. And what someone dreams about doing now may not actually end up being a career choice when the time comes. 

One of the first questions many people are asked is ‘what do you do?’. It’s not surprising given that many adults spend most of their day at work. Also, your job can most definitely have an impact on the rest of your life, can be a big part of your identity and offers insights into what you value most. In other words – what makes you happy. 

Figuring out the right career choice for you takes time. But at the end of the day, finding meaning in your work can be a big indicator of how it makes you feel. Whether it’s company culture, flexible working, ability to climb the career ladder or how the job makes you feel emotionally, everyone places emphasis on something different. Figure out what’s most important to you and that will lead you down the right, and happiest, career path.