We often think of superheroes as being highly stylistically rendered on the pages of a graphic novel, or portrayed by a beautiful actor or actress on the silver screen. Our culture has a fascination with these heroes, and perhaps they have even taken the place of angels or Gods in our societal conversation. We all need an ideal to look up to. However, you likely know the feeling when sat in the cinema with your son or daughter that you will likely never have superpowers. It’s a sad thought. We think ‘if only I could fly, or shoot webs, or run super fast, or were bulletproof, I would stop at nothing to be a great example of heroism.’
Leaving the cinema, or closing the comic book can make us feel a little deflated. How can our own lives compare to someone so magnificent? Well, instead of offering you calming platitudes, let us say that you can compare to someone so magnificent. In fact, there are many people who do it every day. Acting as a hero is much more varied than simply stopping organized crime with your fists, or saving humanity from an invading alien race. In fact, you might find it in potential careers.
But what careers? Consider the following:
Social Work
Social work requires a deft mindset and the willingness to listen and apply a gentle or firm solution willingly. Working with families and children depending on your specialism, you will potentially help resolve issues that could have been so much worse without your guiding hand. It might be that you help people become referred to the help they really need, as well as lending that small bit of advice to help someone build confidence, or resolve an issue at home.
Of course, social work isn’t simply a therapists role. You will begin practical, important steps to help the family life of many people, and over time this could lead you to potentially making a difference in the lives of children you will likely want to see flourish. Consider studying social work in university, or education up to the level of being able to study an online MSW degree, as then you can apply yourself to many job openings and stay competitive in your field. You will be a lifelong hero for countless people in this career.
Emergency Services
Emergency service members are heroes. From paramedics to firefighters to police officers, all of these are essential in order to help the basis of society feel cared for, and to apply practical and timely solutions in situations that really need care. Our emergency services are modern-day heroes, and they are often thankless heroes from day to day despite the work they put in. However, the real heroes aren’t concerned with being labeled as such, only with results. To work as one of these excellent men and women is to find yourself a place in a positive and helpful force that may save lives and help matters exponentially in a community.
These two careers are perhaps the most obvious, but it might be worthwhile for you to consider many others. From humanitarian aid to volunteer organizers to businesses concerned with solving ethical problems, there’s no reason why you cannot make heroism into your career. Before long you’ll notice that this helps you enjoy your work to a near endless degree.