Great Careers for Social People

Love sharing adventures with friends? Is “the more the merrier” something you live by? You can turn that obsession for being around others into a fulfilling career.

It’s never too early or too late to put your passions into practice. And your love for being social can lead you to your dream job. Even if you don’t know what that job is yet.

So, take a look at some social careers that cover all kinds of attributes and industries. Because those “people” skills are in more demand than ever before.

Real Estate Agent

Connect people and families to where they’ll build their lives. A place they’ll call home sweet home.

Real estate agents:
  • Help people understand mortgages and markets
  • Help people sell their homes and other buildings
  • Show homes and buildings to “buyers”
  • Advertise the properties that are for sale
What you’ll need:
  • A high school diploma or equivalent
  • Some state-accredited, pre-licensing courses
Some details:
  • Could make $24,000 to $151,000 (a year)
  • Spend time showing properties, traveling to properties, and meeting clients
  • Great skills to have: social, problem-solving, organizational, and a passion for working with others

What else could you do? Be an advertising sales agent or sales manager.

Detective

We’ve all been detectives on social media, now try it in real life. Help keep our world safe by gathering evidence and solving cases.

Detectives:
  • Conduct interviews, examine records, observe suspects
  • Gather facts and collect evidence
  • Specialize in investigation types
  • Prepare cases and testify in court
What you’ll need:
  • A high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree
  • Agency training academy and on-the-job training
  • Pro-tip: A felony conviction or drug use may disqualify a candidate
Some details:
  • Could make $35,000 to $105,000 (a year)
  • Two basic types of detectives: public and private
  • Great skills to have: leadership, communication, intuition, and a passion for helping others

What else could you do? Be a bailiff or firefighter.

Event Planner

Be the person that makes others’ special days possible. Plan and coordinate every aspect of events—from fundraisers to weddings.

Event planners:
  • Meet people and make their events easier, cheaper, and more enjoyable
  • Work with businesses and venues
  • Manage everything from time and location to costs
  • Ensure event success—a.k.a. go to parties and make sure everyone is having fun
What you’ll need:
  • A high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree
  • Optional certifications are available
Some details:
  • Could make $26,000 to $82,000 (a year)
  • Work in offices and onsite at hotels or convention centers
  • Great skills to have: communication, social, organizational, and a passion for collaborating with others

What else could you do? Be a floral designer or lodging manager.

Human Resource Managers

Are you the person friends turn to for a vent or a good cry? Imagine doing that for a whole company because you support and handle issues for everyone you work with.

Human resource managers:
  • Give advice on things like equal opportunity
  • Know everything that’s happening in a company—always
  • Oversee recruiting, interviewing, and hiring
  • Talk strategy with top executives
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree
Some details:
  • Could make $65,000 to $197,000 (a year)
  • Types of HR managers: employee relations, recruiting, and payroll
  • Great skills to have: social, leadership, communication, and a passion for bringing people together

What else could you do? Be a training and development manager.

Public Relations Specialist

Literally put words in peoples’ mouths. Write speeches, interviews, pitches, and everything in-between to help companies and people communicate more effectively.

PR specialists:
  • Help maintain corporate image and identity
  • Draft speeches and arrange interviews
  • Craft media releases and social media programs
  • Respond to requests from the media
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Some experience—try interning at PR firms or departments
Some details:
  • Could make $32,000 to $112,000 (a year)
  • Work in the government, private, or non-profit sector across industries
  • Great skills to have: social, organizational, problem-solving, and a passion for communicating

What else could you do? Be an advertising sales agent or marketing manager.

Elementary School Teacher

Mold the minds of tomorrow by educating kids in basic subjects and getting them ready for the future.

Elementary school teachers:
  • Teach students how to study and communicate
  • Talk to parents about their child’s progress
  • Evaluate students’ abilities, strengths, and weaknesses
  • Plan lessons and work with students individually
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • State-required licenses and certificates
Some details:
  • Could make $37,000 to $92,000 (a year)
  • Work in public and private schools—and get summers off
  • Great skills to have: communication, patience, resourcefulness, and a passion for helping others learn

What else could you do? Be a childcare worker or school principal.

Community Service Managers

Bring the community together—and make peoples’ lives better—by creating social programs and helping community centers.

Community service managers:
  • Provide social services to the public
  • Work with the community to find programs
  • Plan and manage outreach activities
  • Make improvements to services
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree
  • Some experience—try working as a social worker, or counselor
Some details:
  • Could make $39,000 to $109,000 (a year)
  • Work for nonprofit or for-profit social service organizations
  • Great skills to have: communication, problem-solving, organizational, and a passion for helping people

What else could you do? Be a community health worker or school counselor.

Speech-Language Pathologists

Everyone wants to be understood! You could help people find their voices by improving their vocabulary and communication ability.

Speech-language pathologists:
  • Teach others to make sounds and improve their voices
  • Help people cope with communication disorders
  • Evaluate speech or language difficulty
  • Create and carry out treatment plans
What you’ll need:
  • A master’s degree
  • A state-required, speech-language pathologists license
  • Clinical experience—like a fellowship
Some details:
  • Could make $48,000 to $118,000 (a year)
  • Work in schools and healthcare facilities
  • Great skills to have: communication, compassion, detail-oriented, and a passion for helping others in need

What else could you do? Be an occupational therapist or physician assistant.

With so many careers out there that let your social side shine, why not follow your passion? You can love what you do.