Make a living contributing to society???

Say goodbye to dog-eat-dog

http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/30/pf/dog_eat_dog.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2007073014 - CNN Money

"Salaries at nonprofits vary depending on the size of the organization, but it's still hard to earn the same level of compensation as at for-profit companies. A CFO at a mid-size nonprofit earns an average of $83,000 a year, according to a 2007 survey by the NonProfit Times."

So is it possible to make money and contribute to society. I've read and heard that the most fulfilling jobs are those that contribute to society. Jobs that help others; fireman, professor, librarian, and so forth. It would be very gratifying to contribute to society and bring home a paycheck for your contributions. Only thing, everyone knows that non-profit doesn't pay well. You don't exactly get into non-profit to get rich.

I think there isn't a kid that doesn't dream of being a fireman. How did so many of us go wrong:) I suppose many of us aren't risk takers. Although there is a high level of risk as a fireman, it must be insanely rewarding to save lives. Not to mention, firemen get to put out fires. Such a great job, and they get to be heroes. You really have to wonder what makes a job rewarding. I taught for several years, and teaching has it's ups and downs. Teaching can be very rewarding if you have people or students that are mostly interested in what you do. Although I hold a high respect for all teachers, and any calculus teacher that can make that shit interesting gets mad props from me. Not to mention, teachers are paid like shit. What's up with that. Not only are teachers pillars of society, we trust them with our kids, and they need to be extremely knowledgable of one or many disciplines, but we decide to give them little respect and under pay them. Insanity!!!! What is this world that we have become.

Most excellent careers - US News

"Firefighter. All the firefighters I've met like their jobs. Disadvantages such as irregular hours and living in a firehouse are usually outweighed by the exciting, rewarding work of responding to emergencies and helping people. Plus, typically only a high school diploma or perhaps a two-year fire science degree is required. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, firefighting ranks 14th in likelihood of dying on the job. That sounds daunting–but Nos. 1 and 2 are truck driver and farmworker, careers most people don't think of as inordinately dangerous. "