Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

If you have a meaningful job - what do you do?

109 replies

workwithmeaning · 19/04/2023 17:21

Meaningful = something that helps someone in the community or changes the local area / environment or lives for the better somehow.

I can't keep working in Sales Admin. It's frivolous, meaningless and pointless.

I want a career change and I want to make a difference to this shit sad little world. Happy to earn NMW.

I live in Cornwall. Charity jobs here are rare and I don't want to WFH.

Local Authority here is a toxic hell hole full of suffocating red tape. Including TA roles 🤢 I am degree educated.

I faint at the sight of vomit and blood.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Thighdentitycrisis · 19/04/2023 19:08

I work in an admin role supporting families with disabled children

Twateralflow · 19/04/2023 19:10

I'm a community neuro rehab speech and language therapist. I absolutely love my job. I work with people who have had a stroke, MND, Huntington's Parkinson's and lots of other neuro diagnosis. It's hard work and I admit there are tears but I find my job extremely rewarding. I retrained and went back to uni in my late 30s and don't regret a moment. You have one life so spend it doing what makes you happy

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 19/04/2023 19:13

1:1 TA for a child with complex needs. Absolutely exhausting but very rewarding. Doesnt pay much though

skitt · 19/04/2023 19:13

I teach nurses. I really enjoy the job and like to think it's worthwhile- their dissertation choices this year have really made me think that the next generation has something vital to offer.

Hopelesscynic · 19/04/2023 19:13

AceofPentacles · 19/04/2023 17:59

Having done front line "people work" for ten years, if I had to do it again I'd work with animals or conservation etc .

I feel exactly the same @AceofPentacles 😂
(Btw I love your username, just recently got into studying the tarot)

sleepyscientist · 19/04/2023 19:14

NHS lab scientist

bloodywhitecat · 19/04/2023 19:15

Foster carer to a child with complex needs (but it does mean working from home 24/7)

DevaDiva · 19/04/2023 19:16

I’m an Impact Manager, I’ve got a marketing background, I lead on our social and environmental initiatives to make a positive impact. In your circumstances I’d look for a business that has a clear strategy and visible ethical and sustainable practices.

More and more businesses are shifting their focus to profit with purpose. Try looking for roles at B Corp certified companies, I think there’s a few in Cornwall, over 2,000 UK companies have signed their support to the Better Business Act so worth looking there too.

It’s not easy but it feels good to know you’re making a difference, I hope you find what you’re looking for.

OwlSock · 19/04/2023 19:17

I work part time in a specialist plant nursery with responsibility for all our medicinal and dye plants.

I absolutely love it. The plants are wonderful, I have learnt so much to support my personal interest in medicinal herbs and plant lore, the customers are lovely and very happy to find their elusive plant, colleagues are non-stressy (apart from summer watering stress!), I am outside for 8 hours every workday and I get a discount.

ThePoshUns · 19/04/2023 19:20

@OwlSock your job sounds fabulous.
I currently work in a very public facing role, dealing with the worst of people. I dream of a job like yours.

DizzyHelp · 19/04/2023 19:20

Support staff in a school.

It's not immediately helping people.

But after years also in sales it's lovely not dealing with money at all day to day. Saying hi to the kids as I pass them etc.

Go to the occasional assembly. Get involved in events etc.

For me a nice balance of being able to use skills I already had but not needing to hear the words 'profit' or 'customer' anymore.

faffadoodledo · 19/04/2023 19:20

Sales, business, admin.. they're all meaningful jobs. They grow and shore up our economy. There would be no 'meaningful' jobs if those commercial jobs didn't exist. I know lots of small and medium business owners (as well as doctors and social workers and teachers), and I'm really grateful to them for their innovative work, and for the ways most of them try to do business right.
And I speak as a soft leftie!

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/04/2023 19:24

I make documentaries. I like it when it isn’t driving me mental.

That might not be massively helpful, but you could see what’s going in radio down your way.

ForestDad · 19/04/2023 19:25

What about a role supporting military or military families in some way? Lots of military at either end of Cornwall.

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/04/2023 19:25

faffadoodledo · 19/04/2023 19:20

Sales, business, admin.. they're all meaningful jobs. They grow and shore up our economy. There would be no 'meaningful' jobs if those commercial jobs didn't exist. I know lots of small and medium business owners (as well as doctors and social workers and teachers), and I'm really grateful to them for their innovative work, and for the ways most of them try to do business right.
And I speak as a soft leftie!

Very much agree with this.

Unskilled jobs also drives me mad - all jobs are skilled.

I think honestly OP you have to think about what you will enjoy and what is feasible near you - you can find a way to add meaning if you enjoy it.

PickleOfAConundrum · 19/04/2023 19:26

2reefsin30knots · 19/04/2023 17:55

Special needs teacher (primary, autism).

It does feel meaningful. I take in children for whom previous placements- often more than one- have broken down and I get to turn that around for them. They are a joy and I genuinely enjoy spending my days with them.

It's badly paid though.

Hi, my daughter has Autism and goes to a special needs school and without the help of the wonderful teachers, classroom assistants she wouldn't be the girl she is today! They are amazing and work so hard but also so patient working with challenging behaviours. You sound like you love your job and yes I agree the pay is not great especially hence schools striking next Wednesday which I'm in full support of!

Popplebop · 19/04/2023 19:27

Cancer MDT coordinator (NHS). Had the corporate vastly well paid role and then stuff happened in my life... I looked for something less about imaking money/shuffling the paperwork for someone else to make money and here I am.
I work HARD. And I absolutely encourage all the young people working in the NHS with me to believe in themselves if they want more ££. It is shockingly poorly paid. It isn't just the nurses. Or junior doctors. But I do feel like I make a difference- the NHS milks that and a lot is powered on good will and the staff attitude to not letting down the patients.

feetarekillingme · 19/04/2023 19:28

Marketing for a charity and a cause I'm really passionate about. The charity is decently sized but isn't bloated with people on massive salaries - we're really big on being accountable for every penny we spend. Love it.

I would echo what others have said though...maybe it's not what you do but who you work for? If you work for a good company that can make all the difference.

cptartapp · 19/04/2023 19:30

Practice nurse.
I do smears, vaccinate babies, treat cancer patients, manage chronic illness etc.
It's fairly rewarding but we don't get time to give people the care that they need so can be extremely frustrating and nursing not to be recommended on the whole. Won't be getting any pay rise or nice bonus soon either despite what patients think.

feetarekillingme · 19/04/2023 19:32

Fifipop185 · 19/04/2023 19:05

We are all in various parts of the funeral industry, all roles are very rewarding. Fist bump to @SmirnoffIceIsNice

I was chatting to a funeral director the other day and he said one of his greatest privileges is being able to take some of the stress and pressure off grieving families. It wouldn't be for me (I'm too squeamish!) but if you enjoy helping people, I can see how rewarding it would be.

CrispsnDips · 19/04/2023 19:32

Provide emotional well-being support to ex-prisoners, helping them to integrate back into society…amazing job!!

racquel86 · 19/04/2023 19:33

Community Nurse and I love it - extremely challenging but I would t want to do anything else x

racquel86 · 19/04/2023 19:33

racquel86 · 19/04/2023 19:33

Community Nurse and I love it - extremely challenging but I would t want to do anything else x

Wouldn't even

Whenisitsummer · 19/04/2023 19:33

Advanced nurse practitioner in the NHS. I’ll work for the NHS until I retire- unless govt actions mean we lose it.

beccaskylar · 19/04/2023 19:35

Neuro trauma Occupational Therapist in an acute hospital 🥰🥰🥰