5 Highly-Satisfying Jobs for Career Changers

Looking for a new job? You’re not alone.

Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have voluntarily left their jobs at a higher rate than usual — many in search of new careers that offer better work-life balance, higher pay, and more flexibility — in what experts are calling “The Great Resignation”.

Bottom line: people are looking for more satisfying careers they actually enjoy.

But with so many people on the hunt for new, more fulfilling careers, the bar is higher than ever when it comes to getting noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. No doubt you’ve heard that a graduate degree can improve your career prospects and increase your earning potential — but will it help you land a more satisfying career?

It helps to know what to look for.

What makes a job satisfying?

Whether it’s the ability to manage projects from beginning to end or the feeling that you’re making a positive impact, what makes a job satisfying can be different for everyone. Understanding the aspects that make a job satisfying for you can help you decide if a particular graduate degree and career path will be a good fit.

Here are some common qualities of satisfying jobs:

Advancement — opportunities to advance in your career and knowledge
Compensation — fair pay for your work
Teamwork — a sense of community in the workplace
Flexibility — the ability to choose how, when and where you work
Proficiency — confidence in your ability to do your job and do it well
Purpose — feeling that your work is meaningful and makes a positive difference
Security — feeling secure in your job comes from being appreciated in your workplace and acknowledged as a valued member of the team

What are the most satisfying jobs for career changers?

Surgeons, clergy members, and dentists have some of the highest career satisfaction rates — but those aren’t easy careers to transition into. The good news is that there are plenty of other highly-satisfying careers you can switch to that don’t require you to restart your education from scratch.

Whether your undergraduate degree is in graphic design or chemical engineering (or something completely different!), a master’s degree in the right field can help you qualify for several highly satisfying, in-demand careers.

Both career sites MyPlan and Payscale.com have conducted wide-scale surveys to determine who is most satisfied with their careers, and why. Below, we’ve gathered the top five most satisfying careers from both lists that you can get with a graduate degree from WVU.

Here are five satisfying careers you can get with a master’s degree from WVU.

1. Human Resource Management

Human resource (HR) managers are vital leaders in an organization. They oversee recruitment and candidate selection, staff training and development, and workplace policies.

3 reasons HR management is a satisfying career:

Compensation → The median annual salary for HR managers was $126,230 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Teamwork → Whether it’s interviewing candidates or training employees, the day-to-day activities of HR revolve around human interaction and employee engagement.

Security → HR pros are on the frontline of employee problem-solving. The ability to work out kinks and snags in the organization before they become big problems earns major appreciation from leadership.

What degree do you need?

While it’s true that you can succeed in human resources with a combination of education and experience, many organizations require a master’s degree for leadership positions.

The MS in Human Resources Leadership (MSHRL) at WVU is designed for working professionals with varying education and professional backgrounds. In this program, you’ll learn how to improve organizational performance by utilizing its most powerful resource — human capital.

Learn more about the MSHRL at WVU.

2. Marketing

Marketing managers are responsible for planning programs and developing campaigns that generate interest in products or services. A competitive industry, the field of marketing needs skilled, knowledgeable professionals who can work in tandem with content creators, strategists, technologists, and consultants.

3 reasons marketing management is a satisfying career:

Compensation → The median annual salary for marketing managers was $133,380 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Advancement → Over the next decade, the employment of marketing managers is expected to grow by 10 percent — adding nearly 32,000 jobs by 2030.

Flexibility → So many industries need marketing professionals, so marketing managers have a lot of flexibility in where and how they work.

What degree do you need to be a marketing manager?

WVU’s Integrated Marketing Communications graduate program is designed to prepare marketing communications professionals for career advancement by arming them with the sought-after skills needed to develop, refine, and implement marketing campaigns in a unified way across all channels. By equipping IMC students to use the art of storytelling in the context of marketing communications, we prepare the next generation of professional communicators for the emerging and existing challenges in this dynamic, multifaceted marketing landscape.

Learn more about the MS in IMC at WVU.

3. Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling

Rehabilitation and mental health counselors help individuals overcome physical disabilities, substance abuse disorders, and mental health disorders, enabling them to regain their independence through employment or another form of meaningful engagement.

3 reasons rehabilitation and mental health counseling is a satisfying career:

Flexibility → Counselors work in a variety of settings, like community rehab centers, senior centers, youth organizations, or private practice.

Purpose → Rehab and mental health counselors can give people hope, help them regain independence, and improve lives.

Advancement → Over the next decade, the employment of substance abuse counselors is expected to grow by 23 percent — in part to help combat our nation’s ongoing, critical opioid epidemic (and other drug abuse challenges).

What degree do you need to be a rehabilitation and mental health counselor?

Rehab counselors typically need at least a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field. Some positions require additional certification or licensure.

The Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from WVU gives graduates the knowledge and skills to operate in a variety of counseling settings.

Learn more about the MS in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at WVU.

4. Epidemiology

Epidemiologists are public health workers who investigate diseases — the causes, affected populations, and how to control or stop the spread.

3 reasons epidemiology is a satisfying career:

Advancement → Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for epidemiologists is on the rise. Employment is expected to grow 30 percent in the next decade — much faster than the national average.

Proficiency → Epidemiologists often work in tandem with other public health experts to determine precisely what method will be most effective to stop the spread of disease, and then design the intervention.

Compensation → The median annual salary for epidemiologists was $78,830 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What degree do you need to become an epidemiologist?

Epidemiologists typically need a master’s degree, though there’s no specific field required to work in epidemiology. A master’s degree in public health with an emphasis on epidemiology is most common, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology at WVU focuses on the application of disease and condition investigation. The program is appropriate for students who want to study the relationship between risk factors and disease, injury and other health-related positions.

Learn more about the MPH at WVU

5. Information Security

Cybersecurity analysts are in charge of protecting an organization’s computer systems from data breaches, hackers, and other cyber attacks.

3 reasons cyber security is a satisfying career

Advancement → Employment growth for information security analysts between 2020 and 2030 is projected to be more than 33 percent — much higher than the national average.

Compensation → The median annual salary for information security analysts was $102,600 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Purpose → The impacts of cybersecurity extend beyond the digital world and into real life. Protecting data protects people.

What degree do you need to become an information security analyst?

Information security analysts typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the field, and certain aspects of the field can be learned on the job. But you’ll learn more, faster, by pursuing a master’s degree. If advancement in the field is your goal, you’ll need a graduate degree anyway.

The MS in Business Cybersecurity Management at WVU is designed to address the significant need for cybersecurity talent. Students will learn to engage, lead, and own the cybersecurity business career path.

Learn more about the MS in Business Cybersecurity Management at WVU

Make the Change to a More Satisfying Career at WVU

Are you ready to explore the ways a graduate degree can help you find a career you love?

Are you ready to starting thinking about what a career change could do for your personal and professional satisfaction?

The admissions team at WVU created a digital resource to encourage and educate you on the ways you can prepare yourself to change fields of study and careers.

If you are ready to take the first step in changing careers, we encourage you to request more information, explore our graduate programs, or start your online application today.