If empathy comes naturally to you, you find it easy to connect with others, pick up on their emotions, and are compelled to help whenever you sense someone is suffering. This can be a double-edged sword as your ultra-sensitive emotional radar can make it difficult to be around other people if you can’t detach yourself from their wide range of emotions. It is possible, thankfully, to turn your natural empathy into an asset not just in your personal relationships but also in your career. Here are 5 ways your empathy could open the door to a successful career and help those who are in need.
1. Mental Health Counselor
A mental health counselor helps people who are struggling to overcome a trauma or are suffering from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, or a substance abuse disorder. Counselors need to be empathic, excellent listeners, confident communicators, and intuitive to be able to identify the key issues and provide effective treatment. If you would like more information on mental health counseling, you’ll find a clinical mental health counseling job description here at the St. Bonaventure University’s website. Mental health counselors can work in mental health centers, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, or in private practice.
2. Nurse
There are few careers so synonymous with giving care as nursing. Of course, doctors are also providing care, but often in a more detached way than nurses who are on the ground tending to their needs day and night. There’s no denying it’s a challenging career which requires a lot of dedication, but the emotional rewards for empathic people are many. Nurses also have a lot of opportunity for progression if they choose to pursue a career as a specialist nurse practitioner who can often work independently and perform the same duties as a doctor.
3. Social Worker
A social worker spends their career helping individuals and communities to thrive by overcoming difficulties and improving their lives. The career is strongly rooted in psychology, which is where many people begin their studies, i.e. with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Social work covers a wide range of issues from financial, relationships, substance abuse, and health.
4. Animal Care
Many empathic people are also devoted to the care and protection of animals as well as humans. Careers in animal care can include a wide range of paths from running an animal rescue center or working for an animal charity to working in veterinary medicine as either a vet or veterinary technician. You may also be in a position to provide support to owners when their animals are unwell or injured.
5. Working for Charities or Non-profits
Charities and non-profit organizations are often funded by donations which means the sector doesn’t offer salaries as high as some other industries. However, the charitable purpose of the organization is often enough motivation and reward for empathic people. If money is not a priority and you simply want to make a positive impact on the world around you, this line of work could be ideal.