A December, 2019 piece by Forbes contributor Mark Perna cited data showing that 45% of Gen Z’ers want to work for companies that make a positive impact on the world. According to the data, these future workers want more than just a paycheck. They want to know that the work they do is making the world a better place.
It is with that in mind that this post addresses four different kinds of therapy jobs discussed in a WINK News story, also published in December 2019. WINK is a local CBS affiliate in Fort Myers, Florida. Their story discussed 11 of the “most meaningful college majors” for up-and-coming students.
Four types of therapy made WINK’s top 10: occupational therapy, physical therapy, radiation therapy, and music therapy. All pay fairly well and there is no shortage of therapy job opportunities. Yet what is most surprising is how often people with degrees in these four fields see what they do as a means of making the world a better place.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists assist people in learning new ways to do everyday tasks following some sort of illness or injury. The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients live the best lives they can as they overcome physical or mental conditions that would otherwise be more limiting. If you’re wondering how to become an occupational therapist, you must be licensed and depending on state regulations, may have a masters or doctoral degree.
According to WINK, 89% of people with a degree in occupational therapy say that their career helps to make the world better. Does that number surprise you? If so, you will soon discover that equally high numbers are reported for the other three careers in this list. And by the way, occupational therapists make an average of $88,500 annually.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy jobs involve helping patients regain strength and mobility following injury, illness, surgery, etc. Physical therapy can be used to manage chronic pain as well. Therapists assist their patients through exercising and a variety of stretching and hands-on treatments.
Physical therapists are licensed by their states; a typical therapist has a doctoral degree. The average annual salary for this career is $93,200. As for the percentage of degreed therapists who believe what they do makes the world a better place, the number comes in at 89%.
Radiation Therapy
WINK says that 90% of those with degrees in radiation therapy believe their career choice makes the world better. Again, that is almost too high to believe. Yet it’s true. Making the career even more attractive is an average annual salary of $88,800.
Radiation therapists administer radiation treatments to patients suffering from cancer and other diseases. Knowing the impact cancer has on individual lives, it is not surprising that so many radiation therapists find what they do so rewarding. Radiation therapists must have a full working knowledge of how radiation therapy works as well as being proficient in the advanced equipment they use to do their jobs.
Music Therapy
This last therapy on the list is music therapy. Music therapists use music as a tool for helping patients relax, overcome social anxieties, deal with chronic pain, and cope with certain kinds of diseases. Once again, 90% of degreed music therapists say their work makes the world a better place. Music therapists earn an average of $55,700 annually.
Whether permanent placement or locum tenens therapy, it is clear that a career in therapy is an opportunity to have an impact on the world. Therapy jobs seem ideal for Gen Z’ers looking to do more than just earn a paycheck.