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Original poster

What professions give the highest job satisfaction?

77 replies

Cowbells · 21/03/2021 12:30

Just read on another thread a warning to keep your loved ones out of the entertainment industry as it's so brutal and sexually corrupt. I've heard banking and law are crazy hours and heartless. Medicine/nursing and teaching are long hours, underpaid and thankless.

What are the good industries with a healthy work life balance, decent pay and good job satisfaction? Do any still exist?

OP posts:
Kezzie200 · 21/03/2021 13:10

I think accountancy is pretty good. If you chase the big money you will have to do the hours, but there is the other option of part time for decent money and the skills are transferable, so lots of choice if you want to move to work in industry, for example.

Job satisfaction - we won't have the same satisfaction as say a doctor, nurse or carer for obvious reasons. But it's good to be part of a team that improves business and helps owners with business strategy.

RIftw · 21/03/2021 13:12

NC-ed for this as thought was worthwhile being quite specific.

I do responsible investment (a subset of investment management). What this means is that I ensure that environmental, social and governance factors are incorporated into the investment decisions of the people who manage individuals' pensions and savings. This not only does good in terms of impact on the world we live in (climate change, human rights) but also improves risk-adjusted returns in the long-term.

I love my job. It is interesting, well-remunerated and worthwhile while the hours are ok (around 7.30am-7pm - not the best, but far from unmanageable and tbh, the work is so fascinating that the hours fly by).

aintnocoffeebigenough · 21/03/2021 13:14

I’m not one myself and I’m sure someone will be along soon to tell me that this isn’t the case but I know about six speech and language therapists all in different areas of their country and they all love their jobs! Whenever I chat to them they are so happy and fulfilled with their work.

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TheRedShoes75 · 21/03/2021 13:21

Definitely not law. 20 years as a lawyer here and can say job satisfaction is v v low while stress is extremely high. Avoid at all costs!

PrawnSalad · 21/03/2021 13:36

@RIftw How did you get into that? I work in the other side in fundraising but your area has always fascinated me. What qualifications do you need?

PrawnSalad · 21/03/2021 13:37

Second to accounting, insurance possibly?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/03/2021 13:39

People I know who work in IT seem to be the happiest.

ImaHogg · 21/03/2021 13:46

Of all the people I know it’s the gardeners/landscapers or those who work with nature who seem to be the happiest and most content with their chosen careers and life.

Bargebill19 · 21/03/2021 13:49

Job satisfaction varies from person to person. Not really quantifiable!
Eg. Dh drives a truck - he loves driving his job satisfaction is way up there. Me - I love to clean building on my own with music. My boss thought I would be better off in management. My job satisfaction went from being really high to being suicidal.

RIftw · 21/03/2021 13:50

@prawnsalad got into it from "mainstream" investment management/analysis which is usually the way. But people are getting into it from a broader range of backgrounds, including financial services policy or investment consulting. Doing a CFA UK qualification is usually a good thing to have on your CV if you're interested.

Bellsandwhistle · 21/03/2021 13:53

I work in law and I love my job. Crime and family which is frustrating at times but very rewarding at others.

Amdone123 · 21/03/2021 14:01

I was a primary school teacher for over 20 years, and I loved it. Yes, it was stressful at times, but I really did get excited at the different lessons I'd planned, etc.
I now work as a cleaner (10 hours a week) and love this job, too.
I think a lot of it depends on you, your attitude, etc. Some people are never happy, and love to be miserable/ negative.

I have a lot of positive energy, enjoy chatting to people and my glass is always half full. I would never do a job I disliked. I don't think it's worth it.

Maxellious · 21/03/2021 14:03

Engineering at a professional level is pretty good I have found in terms of interesting work, well paid and good work life balance.

Bar occasional issues, I very rarely do more than my contracted hours and nobody (even very senior management) does more than a few extra hours a week. I am paid very well for the part of the country I live in (although a London lawyer would sniff at my salary) and I have huge variety in my role and the opportunity to collaborate in academic research along with solving day to day production issues. Also, for me I like the fact that I am not tied to an area of the country for well paid work. I can go anywhere

emptyraspberry · 21/03/2021 14:05

Horticulture.

qualitygirl · 21/03/2021 14:06

Surely it just depends on whether a person is doing something they love or not and whether they feel they are paid sufficient enough in their opinion. I imagine it varies from person to person. I love my job. I work in pharmaceuticals.

EL8888 · 21/03/2021 14:08

Not sure. NOT a nurse, despite regularly 13-14 hour days then l still get moaned at for not doing enough and not being able to basically perform magic Confused

sherrystrull · 21/03/2021 14:11

I'm a primary school teacher. You're right about the drawbacks but I still get great job satisfaction, mainly from working in a fab school with great colleagues and lovely families.

Oh and the holidays aren't bad...!

Sansaplans · 21/03/2021 14:13

A lot have surveys have said hairdressing is pretty high up! I used to be a teacher and I would say job satisfaction should be high, but it wasn't because of all of the other shit that comes with it along with underfunding which raises stress levels- which I think is the case for a lot of 'rewarding' jobs such as nursing etc as well, unfortunately. I work in IT, and really enjoy it but not overly rewarding.

WaveAbout · 21/03/2021 14:17

I've been a speech and language therapist for 20 years and feel like it's a great balance in terms of job satisfaction, pay and family-friendly hours.

Obviously a lot depends on your immediate team, manager and caseloads.

Amdone123 · 21/03/2021 14:18

@sherrystrull, yes you're right about the holidays! What irked me, though , was the increase in holiday prices during half term breaks, the 6 weeks, etc. Pre covid, I was able to go on holiday during term time, and got some great bargains.
Can't wait to do it again.

Lemonlemonlime · 21/03/2021 14:19

Software engineering. The engineers I know are genuinely passionate about what they do, view it more as a vocation than work itself and are paid very well.

Susiesue61 · 21/03/2021 16:14

Palliative care! I changed from GP, I love my job 😊

Itsreallymehonest · 21/03/2021 16:20

I've done a quick name change as this is very outing, but I run a private crematorium. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had.

Original poster
Cowbells · 21/03/2021 18:02

@RIftw

NC-ed for this as thought was worthwhile being quite specific.

I do responsible investment (a subset of investment management). What this means is that I ensure that environmental, social and governance factors are incorporated into the investment decisions of the people who manage individuals' pensions and savings. This not only does good in terms of impact on the world we live in (climate change, human rights) but also improves risk-adjusted returns in the long-term.

I love my job. It is interesting, well-remunerated and worthwhile while the hours are ok (around 7.30am-7pm - not the best, but far from unmanageable and tbh, the work is so fascinating that the hours fly by).

Those are long hours. I'm impressed and in awe. I'm glad you are well remunerated. If I worked such long hours 5 days a week on my hourly rate I'd be rich too. But I like working PT and having lots of time off.
OP posts:
Original poster
Cowbells · 21/03/2021 18:05

@TheRedShoes75

Definitely not law. 20 years as a lawyer here and can say job satisfaction is v v low while stress is extremely high. Avoid at all costs!
I wish I could convince DS1 of this. He is set on law and I foresee him becoming a workaholic and having a stressed and quite restricted life. He has loads of passions and interests now but with no time to pursue them, what's left?
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