There is a
great deal of satisfaction to be found in helping others. Studies have
evidenced a ‘Helper’s High’ associated with the endorphins released when we
help another fellow human being. Most people, at some point or another, will
have made the extra effort to help someone in need, but there are undeniably
individuals out there with a much higher degree of empathy than others.
Empathy
Empathy is the act of sharing and being understanding of the feelings of
others. It is putting oneself in the shoes of another individual and attempting
to understand their issues from the perspective of the individual experiencing
them. There are three types of empathy:
Cognitive – this is a more
logical and practical application of empathy. It is about seeing from the
perspectives of the other individual but not necessarily sharing in the emotive
responses displayed.
Emotional – this is feeling
what the other feels and experiencing the emotions alongside them. This form of
empathy is commonly adopted from childhood, where a child will exhibit the same
emotive responses as a parent if they are happy or sad, for example.
Compassionate – compassionate
empathy is understanding the feelings of others and being
proactive in efforts to help and support the individual. This is the form that
most people think of when explaining empathy.
Here are 5
suggestions for careers that may suit an Empath:
1. Nursing
If you have an interest in the medical sector, then nursing may be
for you. You will need to be educated to a Bachelor Degree level, and training
will offer you ample opportunity to apply your new skills along with your empathetic
nature in a real world setting while you qualify. Once qualified, there are
variety of settings you may find yourself in:
- Schools
- Health centres
- Hospitals
- Retirement homes
- Clinics
- Patient homes
As a nurse, you may be looking after people who have life-limiting
conditions, unwell children, families of those who are sick, the elderly, or
the disabled. Each individual will have their own characteristics, their own
beliefs, and their own set of personal needs, and it will require a great deal
of patience and empathy in order for you to relate with your patience and build
ongoing relationships to better improve the health of those in your care.
2. Social Worker
If medical practice is not your thing, then you may be drawn into
working within the social services sector. As a social worker, you are likely
to face a whole host of scenarios that will exercise your empathetic muscles.
You may face some challenging issues, such as addiction,
poverty, homelessness, adoption, marital conflict, domestic abuse, or child
protection. These can be testing for even the most compassionate of people,
especially with issues that you have direct experience of or strong feelings
towards. As an empath, you understand the importance of seeing issues through
the eyes of the sufferer and acting in accordance to this.
It will be necessary to obtain the correct training to put you in good
stead for a career in social work, but it is possible to get an online social work
degree. You will then be primed for a career in social
services, mental health clinics, or as a therapist or counsellor.
3. Caregiver
Unlike nursing and social work, carers are able to work without
qualifications at a degree level. You will need the appropriate job training
and first aid certification, and you may find that caregiving motivates you to
climb the ladder into social care or nursing in the future. Caregivers are
often either mobile in people’s homes or in residential homes requiring
additional support, such as retirement homes, hospices, or care homes.
As a carer, you will be dealing largely with personal care for children,
those with disabilities, or the elderly population. The role will involve you
assisting these people through their day to day lives, enabling and
facilitating independence, feeding, bathing, clothing, or sometimes
administering personal care. This is where empathy comes in, as you will need
to be mindful of the dignity and
personal feelings of those you care for and gauge the balance between how much
assistance is needed in relation to how much is wanted.
4. Education
If they enjoy working with and nurturing young minds, then an empath may
be drawn to the education sector. Empathising with children is a skill many
adults outgrow, and seeing situations through the eyes of a child and
demonstrating patience is a talent not everyone possesses. Education isn’t
limited to the classroom, you may wish to run specialised classes such as
sports or music, work at kindergarten level, or get a job in the private
sector.
There are many areas that will allow you entry into the sector, as meal
time or teaching assistants don’t necessarily require qualifications but will
need to undergo checks and training to maintain the safety of the children in
their care. Meanwhile, teachers will need to be educated to a degree level.
Research the required training needed for your career choice.
5. Charitable causes
Working
for a charity requires both empathy and commitment to the cause
you are representing. There is a charity for almost every conceivable cause
nowadays, so explore those that mean the most to you personally in order to
allow your empathy to be utilised to its absolute best. It is possible to be
involved in charity work on a voluntary basis as well as through employment.
Be empathetic to yourself
too
Displaying empathy can be emotionally exhausting. It can be easy to save
all your empathy for your patients, clients, or students and neglect to show
any to yourself at times. If you are experiencing a drain, take the time to put
yourself back into your own shoes and be compassionate to your own feelings.
Practice some mindfulness or relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation,
controlled breathing, or simply enjoying a favourite pastime like reading or a
long walk to calm and restore yourself. Remember to avoid carrying the weight
of everyone else’s worlds on your shoulders.
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