This is a common response when I ask high school or college students what they want to do career-wise. I'm beginning to wonder why few say "I just want to help animals (or plants)". It seems so much more rewarding and the results clearer when you help a person. You can see them smile, they say 'thank you', they take the new skill and get a job, they stop a bad behavior. But is it really so much different to assess if you've helped an animal or plant? Isn't it just about that person, animal or plant thriving?
When we remove invasive weeds on the Windward side islands, the migrating birds arrive from Alaska and have a much easier time building a nest and laying eggs. They live longer and have more babies. We aren't going to get a verbal 'thank you' but once you know their behaviors, you can clearly say you've helped them thrive, or you could say, be happier.
If people of any age want to increase happiness on the planet, helping animals and their ecosystems is a terrific way to do it. There's tons of good jobs (many outside an office), and major happiness returns. And coincidentally, just like when you help another person, you end up way happier yourself.
When we remove invasive weeds on the Windward side islands, the migrating birds arrive from Alaska and have a much easier time building a nest and laying eggs. They live longer and have more babies. We aren't going to get a verbal 'thank you' but once you know their behaviors, you can clearly say you've helped them thrive, or you could say, be happier.
If people of any age want to increase happiness on the planet, helping animals and their ecosystems is a terrific way to do it. There's tons of good jobs (many outside an office), and major happiness returns. And coincidentally, just like when you help another person, you end up way happier yourself.