Job satisfaction is a lost concept, at least according to 65 percent of workers in the U.S. and Canada who responded to a 2012 Right Management survey. Nearly half of those surveyed, or 44 percent, were completely unsatisfied with their current positions; 21 percent were somewhat unsatisfied. Only 19 percent reported overall satisfaction. If you’re in the majority that finds little to no joy on the job, it may be time to align your passions with your purpose and launch a new career.
Animal Lover
Your lifelong array of dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets may attest to your love of animals, and you can turn that love into a paycheck with a career helping animals. The demand for veterinary assistants is expected to increase by 10 percent over the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and you can join the ranks by launching a career in the field.
Photo by Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital via Flickr
Online institutions like Penn Foster offer diploma programs in veterinary studies, with the overall goal of readying you for a position as a veterinary assistant. Duties can include monitoring and caring for animals after surgery, preparing instruments and assisting with medication and emergency first aid. An American Veterinary Medical Association survey reported a well-above-average satisfaction level for vets, and their assistants may enjoy a similar level of delight.
Design Junkie
If you’re accustomed to hearing great praise when people walk into your home and see what you’ve done with the place, you may be able to extend that talent to others with a career in interior design. Interior designers are a creative lot with flexible work choices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports about 25 percent of interior designers were self-employed in 2012, and the field is expected to grow 13 percent over the next decade.
Photo by Rogue-Designs via Flickr
Gaining a strong understanding of the industry goes far beyond matching up throw pillows. Buttress your innate talent and artistic eye with training in the field, which you can do in fewer than six months. You’ll then be armed with the knowledge about match lighting, colors and materials with space requirements and homeowners’ tastes. A StudentsReview survey that polled interior design majors after graduation found more than half were satisfied with their line of work.
True Crime Buff
If your nightstand is stacked with nonfiction crime novels and the first news stories you read involve court cases, a hunch says you might enjoy a career in Criminal Justice. A solid place to start is with an associate’s degree in the field, which can serve as a stepping stone into a variety of job choices.
Photo by Ban Spy via Flickr
A degree in Criminal Justice can supplement your existing knowledge of the court and corrections systems, outline how police management operates and even touch on theories of what makes people turn to crime. Top it off with basics on the nature of crime, law and Criminal Justice and you’re ready to job hunt for local, state or even federal government jobs at USAJobs.gov. While job growth in the field depends on the exact position you choose, a StudentsReview survey reported nearly 70 percent of Criminal Justice graduates were satisfied with their new jobs.
Antonio Maurice Daniels
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Revolutionary Paideia 
Antonio, I must agree that turning passion to profit is vital. I know of many individuals are mentally and financially stuck in “jobs” that they unhappily go to everyday. Passion for what you do will ALWAYS outweigh being ungrateful and miserable doing that you loathe, just for money. As always, that you for an insightful article.
-San
San, very true statements. People must learn to do what makes them happy in all areas of their lives. I know one person who is not suited for his career, but he desires to be viewed in such high regard. Unfortunately, he wakes up truly miserable each day because he has to question his talent and skills for the job he has to do each day. One’s work should not make him or her miserable. Thank you very much for your response.