Careers for people who love working with people

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What kind of people person are you? At the root of the answer you will find your perfect work.

To hone in on the answer, ask yourself this: what do you do that makes you a good people person?

Do you inspire, persuade, calm, listen, entertain, inform people? Think about what you do when you are at your best.

A couple of days ago, I caught a plane in Vancouver en route to San Francisco. I met a young woman from Croatia who recently completed a Masters program. She was doing some exploring before settling down to work “for the rest of her life.”

She had already spent nearly a full day of travel and on her last leg. Despite the severe sleep deprivation, she had lots to say and ask. She was jazzed.

I like talking to strangers. How many fascinating ways people lead their lives! I wonder what road will they take next.

For me, I think of the road not taken. While I was raising children, others in their 20s were at university. 

The one road where others were backpacking across Europe. Or landing a job far away.

Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t about regrets.

There are so many choices in life and then events along the way, I could never have predicted I ended up where I am.

Like sitting on an airplane next to a young graduate. Will she ever spend more than 7 hours in Canada? Like she did in the Vancouver airport.

I will never know how her story unfolds. Nor mine for that matter. What I do know for sure is I have always been drawn to working with people. As she does.

The exchange got me thinking about great people careers. Below are some ideas to help you scheme and dream. 

Teaching

In addition to teaching in schools, here are occupations that involve teaching.

  • Foreign Language Instructor
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Instructors – Dance, Sport, Acting, Music
  • Professor
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Adult Education Teacher

Counselling

  • Career or School Counsellor
  • Addictions Counsellor
  • Crisis Counsellor
  • Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Bereavement Counsellor
  • Social Worker

People Management

  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Recruiter
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Management Consultant
  • Casting Director

Administration

  • Health Care Administrator
  • Fundraiser
  • Arts Administrator
  • Logistics Specialists

Organizers

  • Event Planner
  • Recreation Director
  • Curator
  • Tour Guide
  • Funeral Director
  • Caterer
  • Schedule

Communication

  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Radio/Television Program Director
  • Advertising Copywriter
  • Editor/Writer
  • Marketing Managers
  • Motivational Speaker

Customer Service

  • Airline Customer Service Agent
  • Bank Teller
  • Dispatcher
  • Hotel Desk Clerk
  • Flight Attendant

Sales

  • Fashion Retailer
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Insurance Agent/Broker
  • Art Dealer
  • Retail Buyer
  • Sales Managers

From time to time, I calculate the number of people I see in a week. During the past 20 years, the number has been between 60 and 100. Many are people I never met before.

If you look at your life, you too will see tips about how you like working with people.

Because even if you find them annoying, most jobs have a people component.