23 Careers That Help People — Without Advanced Training

Does your calling in life involve helping others? There’s no shortage of opportunities to make a positive impact. Many careers that help people allow you to work directly with individuals and communities, improving lives through service, care and support.

If you’re eager to begin making a difference without spending many years in school, you’ll be glad to know there are jobs helping people that don’t require advanced degrees. Fields like public health, healthcare administration, education and human services all offer accessible paths into helping professions — often with just a diploma or associate degree.

Healthcare Careers That Help People

Healthcare offers some of the most rewarding professions that help people, and not all require clinical training. If you’re drawn to jobs where you support others by coordinating care, filing insurance claims or ensuring patients receive quality service, consider these options:

1. Medical Office Assistant

Interested in an administrative role in healthcare? Working as a medical office assistant allows you to help patients in a non-clinical capacity, assisting with everything from checking patients in and out to scheduling appointments, submitting invoices to insurance and answering phone calls. As a medical office assistant, you can enjoy the satisfaction that comes with keeping things running smoothly while spending as little as 12 months in school for your Medical Office Assistant Diploma.

2. Patient Care Coordinator

Another option on the administrative side of healthcare is patient care coordinator, where you can assist patients with scheduling, finding medical resources and understanding diagnoses and/or procedures. In this role, you help patients receive the best possible care by essentially serving as a liaison between them and their healthcare providers.

If you’re interested in patient care coordination, consider a 12-month Health Services Administration Diploma to help you prepare.

3. Medical Receptionist

A job as a medical receptionist can be quite rewarding, giving you an opportunity to handle the important front-end administrative duties in a doctor’s office, hospital or other medical facility. You’ll serve as the primary point of contact for new patients while handling patient records, processing payments and communicating with patients via telephone, email or in person.

Consider an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Medical Administrative Assistant Degree (online or on-campus) to prepare for this type of role.

4. Insurance Reimbursement Specialist

Navigating the world of health insurance can be complex. To help understand their coverage, many patients consult with knowledgeable insurance reimbursement specialists. In this role, you’ll be responsible for submitting insurance claims, preparing invoices and managing patient records.

For those interested in insurance reimbursement specialist positions, a 12-month Medical Reimbursement and Coding Diploma could help you differentiate yourself in this field. 

5. Benefits Coordinator

Benefits coordinators play an important role in the healthcare industry, helping healthcare employees (including doctors and nurses) better understand their own insurance coverage and other employment perks. These professionals also assist with the complex enrollment process, acting as a bridge between employees and benefit providers when needed.

Interested in this type of work? An AAS – Health Services Administration could prepare you with essential skills while being completed in just two years.

Nursing or Clinical Healthcare Jobs That Help People

What if you want to look into jobs that help people on the clinical side of healthcare? From nursing roles to medical assistant jobs and beyond, there are plenty of careers where you can make a difference without spending 4+ years in school and training.

6. Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic patient care under the supervision of physicians and other healthcare professionals. They monitor patients’ vital signs, maintain medical records, take care of wounds and, in some states, administer medication. This career path can be ideal for those who want to help others in a clinical setting without enduring a ton of education and training requirements. In fact, a Practical Nursing Diploma, which prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam, can be completed in just one year.

7. Registered Nurse

Another nursing career option to consider is that of Registered Nurse (RN), which requires an associate degree or bachelor’s in nursing. It also requires passing the NCLEX-RN exam. As an RN, you’ll have a greater degree of autonomy, providing more direct care to patients while also serving as a supervisor to LPNs and nursing assistants. Responsibilities may include assessing health conditions, administering treatments and educating patients on illness management.

8. Medical Assistant

Medical assistants can take on an administrative role, a clinical role or a combination of both (depending on the facility’s needs). For those working in a more clinical setting, medical assistants are typically responsible for basic care that includes taking vital signs, preparing exam rooms and assisting with examinations.

One way to become a medical assistant is through the Medical Assisting Diploma Program, which takes just 15 months to complete and prepares students to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assisting (CCMA) certification exam. Another more advanced option to consider is the Medical Assisting Associate Degree Program, which offers a comprehensive degree, often in less than two years.

9. Occupational Therapy Assistant

A popular clinical healthcare position for those passionate about helping people is that of occupational therapy assistant. In this role, you’ll work under the supervision of an occupational therapist to help patients with their therapy exercises, educate them about equipment and keep them motivated.

Having an Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree can be a great way to build the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this dynamic field while providing quality care to patients.

10. Physical Therapist Assistant

Like occupational therapy assistants, physical therapy assistants work under the supervision of other specialists to provide skilled care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers and even nursing homes. By helping patients perform certain exercises and assisting with equipment, physical therapist assistants play an essential role in the healthcare field.

To become a physical therapist assistant, consider pursuing an Associate of Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant. This program takes an average of 20 months to complete. From there, you might even consider taking the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), which ensures you have the knowledge and abilities to practice safely as a physical therapist assistant.

Education Jobs Where You Help People

Prepare future generations for success by pursuing a role in the critical field of education. Whether you prefer to mold younger minds or are interested in an administrative role, there are plenty of helping professions to explore in this field.

11. Teacher

A great way to make a difference in the lives of young children is by serving as a teacher at the preschool level. Preschool teachers carry out important tasks such as lesson planning, leading educational activities and preparing children for their future endeavors. 

Depending on the level at which you wish to teach, you may choose to pursue either an AAS in Early Childhood Education or an Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma.

12. Education Administrator

There are education jobs where you help people that don’t involve teaching, such as education administrator. Specifically, an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education could prepare you to work as a daycare center administrator. These professionals oversee a facility’s day-to-day operations, from staff management and curriculum to finances and parent communication.

13. Teacher Aides or Paraprofessionals

If you know you want to work in the classroom and provide direct instruction to educators and students alike, then a career as a teacher aide could be right for you. Similarly, you may thrive as a paraprofessional (such as an assistant childcare provider or summer camp teaching assistant). These are all roles that you can explore with an Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma, as well as a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

14. Childcare Worker

A role as a childcare worker can be extremely fulfilling, especially if you enjoy working with young children. Childcare workers are often employed at daycare centers, where they are responsible for assessing children’s developmental progress, providing behavioral guidance, serving nutritious meals and snacks and maintaining a safe childcare environment at all times.

If you’re interested in this role, consider pursuing an Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma. This program is designed to be completed in as little as 12 months.

Hospitality Professions That Help People

A career in hospitality offers plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement — with many jobs involving direct interaction with people and the opportunity to help them make the most of a special event or trip.

15. Event Staff

Working as an event staff member allows you to be directly involved in the planning, preparation, setup and (in some cases) management of special events. While responsibilities can vary from one job title to the next, some common event staff roles include:

• Set-up team member
• Concessions staff member
• Ticket agent
• Usher

Those interested in working as an event staff member should consider a Hospitality Assistant Diploma, which builds essential skills and valuable industry knowledge.

16. Hotel, Motel, Resort Desk Clerk

Front desk clerks at hotels, motels and resorts are often the first impression made on guests as they check in. Here, you could be responsible for everything from helping guests check in and out to making special accommodations and addressing issues as they arise. Specific job titles in this area of hospitality can include porter, greeter, front desk agent and room attendant.

With a Hospitality Assistant Diploma, you can be prepared to greet and assist guests with a smile.

17. Concierge

Another popular hospitality job that doesn’t require a lot of education but does give you plenty of opportunities to help others is that of concierge. As a concierge, you’ll typically work for a hotel or resort — although some high-end office buildings and apartment complexes may also employ these individuals. These professionals essentially take on the role of a guest’s personal assistant, handling everything from taking messages to fulfilling special requests and helping them find special events or activities in the area.

A Hospitality Assistant Diploma can be an excellent starting point for concierge professionals, although some may choose to advance their education with an Associate degree in Hospitality Management or a similar discipline.

18. Food Services Manager

More interested in the food services side of hospitality? If so, and if you enjoy taking on a leadership role, then a career as a food services manager could be right for you. In this role, you’ll be responsible for hiring and training staff, overseeing food preparation, ordering supplies and just about every other aspect of keeping a food service operation running smoothly.

Working as a food services manager often requires some experience in food service, as well as specialized education and training in the form of a Hospitality Management Associate Degree or a Restaurant and Hotel Management Associate Degree.

Human and Legal Services Jobs Helping People

If you’re interested in the legal field but don’t want to spend years in school to become a lawyer, there are many options that don’t require extensive education and training. And while some human and legal services careers (such as social worker or lawyer) do require an advanced degree, roles like community advocate and case manager may not.

19. Legal Office Assistant

Working as a legal office assistant gives you a chance to gain practical experience in a law office and participate in legal cases without requiring an extensive legal education. Specifically, legal office assistants work under the supervision of lawyers/attorneys, providing valuable administrative support, document management and client communication.

Having a Legal Office Assistant Diploma can be a great way to gain knowledge of topics such as document/record maintenance, case management and the legal process.

20. Community Advocate

Another role to consider in the legal field that doesn’t require a time- and cost-intensive law degree is that of community advocate. Specifically, community advocates are responsible for serving communities/populations and assisting them through complex legal processes or policy changes. Working as a community advocate can be extremely rewarding, especially when you’re able to see the direct difference your work can make in the lives of others.

To become a community advocate, consider pursuing a Human and Social Services Diploma or degree program.

21. Paralegal

If you enjoy legal research and administrative work, then you could thrive in a career as a paralegal. Paralegals assist attorneys in delivering legal services, supporting them with such tasks as legal research, document drafting, case preparation and liaising with clients.

In addition to excellent organizational and communication skills, many employers look for a Paralegal Studies Associate Degree.

22. Legal Support Worker

Similar to a legal assistant or paralegal, a legal support worker provides valuable assistance to lawyers by carrying out both administrative and clerical tasks. This may include conducting legal research, gathering exhibits, drafting motions and securing affidavits. For some roles, legal support workers may need to take and pass a CLA/CP exam. To excel in this exam, it can be helpful to have a Paralegal Studies Associate Degree.

23. Case Manager

If you’re interested in a career path that’s related to social work without the extensive education requirements, you may want to consider a role as a human service worker. As a case manager, you could help your clients explore resources, apply for services (such as Medicaid or food stamps) and collaborate with social workers to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Many case managers and other human service workers have a diploma or Associate in Human and Social Services.

Start Your Journey to Helping People With a Degree or Diploma!

You don’t need to spend four or more years in school to pursue a career where you can help others. In as little as 12 months, you could earn a diploma in a field that interests you — whether it be in healthcare, nursing, hospitality, education or legal services. If you’re willing to put in another year or so of school, you could even earn your associate degree in a field of your choosing, which may open opportunities to advance into a bachelor’s degree program down the road.

No matter which path you choose, Bryant & Stratton College has you covered with online and on-campus diploma and degree programs to suit your needs. With flexible and career-focused coursework, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the core competencies and industry-specific knowledge needed to compete in today’s workforce.

Get in touch to request more information about any of our diploma or degree programs at Bryant & Stratton College. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can complete an application for admission today!