Earn Big with Odd Jobs
Nadia Campbell knows that doing good doesn't pay, at least not monetarily. As CEO of The Victorian Hands Foundation -- a New York City-based nonprofit that connects young volunteers with senior citizens -- Campbell knows that grads who go into service fields don't do it for the pay.
"In careers like social work, the reward isn't in the paycheck," Campbell says, "It's that you see the difference you make everyday."
Fortunately, there are some service fields such as public health care and nonprofit administration for which grads do not have to choose between their consciousness and their wallet. Here are five careers where you can give back without going broke:
Fire Chief
Those who work their way up the firehouse chain of command can expect a hefty reward at the top. First-line supervisors and fire fighting managers earned a median salary of nearly $63,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who take it one step further and land the title of fire chief earn between $73,435 and $95,271 per year, plus benefits. On top of a healthy salary, top-ranking fire personnel won't have to worry about finding a job -- the BLS estimates that fire-fighting occupations will grow by 12 percent between now and 2016. People in this profession also won't have to pay back student loans. The vast majority of professionals break into the field with a high school diploma or fire education certificate from a community college.
Nonprofit Executive
Want to change the world and bank big at the same time? The median salary for nonprofit executives is -- brace yourself -- $327,575, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Here's how to do it: Though reaching the executive level will probably require a master's degree or higher in nonprofit management, business administration, or public administration, nonprofit workers won't have to fight for jobs. The Foundation Center, an NYC-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting other charitable organizations, reports that there are currently 1.4 million nonprofit agencies in the U.S. with more added every year.
Continuity Planner
Dedicated to helping public and private organizations carry on after an unforeseen disaster, business continuity planners have been in high demand since 2001. On top of having solid business skills, continuity planners also need to be well versed in HR practices, information technology management, and risk management. Requiring a bachelor's degree along with a business continuity certificate to break into the field, full-time business continuity planners rake in a total compensation package worth over $100,000 per year according to the continuity and relief research firm, BC Management.
Grant Writer
The fiscal engine of nearly every nonprofit in the country, savvy grant writers can expect both monetary and emotional rewards. Salary.com reports that the average grant writer earns a median salary over $48,500; however, veteran freelancers frequently earn $100,000 and up. In addition to an enviable salary, grant writers also have a great deal of professional freedom. The BLS reports that nearly one-third of all writers are self-employed and the field for technical writers (including grant writers) is expected to grow 20 percent by 2016. To land one of these lucrative positions, candidates will need a bachelor's degree in a related field such as business administration, technical writing, or nonprofit management and may also need a grant writing certificate.
Public Defender
Though entry-level salary for public defenders typically runs between $35,000 and $50,000 per year, those willing to serve the public may find a pay boost in the form of student loan forgiveness. According to Finaid.org, a financial aid information site, federal loan borrowers in service fields such as public legal services, social work, public child care, and public education who have worked in the field for 10 years may be eligible to have the remainder of their student loan forgiven. For defenders with high law school debt, taking advantage of the program could save an upwards of $20,000.
