General practitioner, doctor, nurse—when you think of careers in the realm of health, it’s likely these are the ones that come to mind first. But the health and wellness space goes well beyond just hospital and local GP clinic settings.
Here are a few careers across health and wellness you should consider if you’re interested in pursuing a fulfilling career where you can make a meaningful difference in the well-being of others.
1. Fitness instructor
First up—fitness instructor. If you’re passionate about physical well-being, have extensive knowledge of the body, know your way around different workouts, and want to help teach, motivate, and guide others towards reaching their own fitness goals, it’s worth considering becoming a fitness instructor.
As a fitness instructor, you’ll create fitness programs that support others’ health goals—whether it’s weight loss and body toning or rehabilitation and more. From group classes to one-on-one sessions, this career path will see you working with a variety of individuals across local gyms, sports centres, independent personal training studios, virtual classes, and other settings.
One of the key responsibilities of this role is planning and demonstrating exercises that are specially tailored to different individuals. The customised workout plans you design and lead are based on a person’s medical history, fitness level, and goals. Plus, you can offer nutritional advice that complements a client’s workout routine for holistic well-being.
So, if you love being active and are passionate about physical fitness, becoming a fitness instructor who motivates and encourages others on their own fitness journey might just be your career calling.
2. Massage therapist
It might not be the first career that comes to mind when you think of the health sector, but massage therapists actually play a pretty important role in contributing to overall health and well-being—particularly when it comes to physical and mental rejuvenation.
Working across settings like spas, wellness centers, sports clinics, or even as independent practitioners, massage therapists specialize in providing therapeutic massages to help promote relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and alleviate pain or discomfort. Using their fingers, hands, elbows, and specialized tools, massage therapists apply pressure and manipulate soft tissues of the body. The result? Muscle stiffness is relieved, blood circulation is increased, pain is alleviated, and the client feels a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation.
To address specific client needs and provide tailored treatments, massage therapists need to have extensive knowledge of the human body and must conduct thorough assessments, including client medical history, current physical condition, and any specific client concerns. Based on these assessments, they’ll create a customized treatment plan and determine the appropriate massage techniques, pressure levels, and areas to focus on.
3. Social worker
If you’re sick, go to the doctor. If you want to take care of your physical health, eat healthier and do some exercise. If you’re struggling with depression, speak to a professional. It’s that easy—right?
Well, it’s not that simple. While health and wellness are crucial for human well-being, it’s important to remember that not everyone has equal access to quality and affordable care, nutrition, mental health services, and general social support. If you’re interested in helping communities overcome these barriers to care, then completing a social work program online to become a social worker could be the career path for you.
Social workers play an essential role in empowering individuals, families, groups, and communities to improve their lives in different ways. Whether it’s parenting and family problems, relationships, alcohol or substance abuse, or mental health struggles with depression and anxiety, a social worker offers counseling, resources, and support services to those who need help coping with issues in their lives.
4. Emergency medical dispatcher
When a call is placed to 9-1-1, an emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) is the first port of call, playing an important role in identifying the caller’s needs and making sure they receive the appropriate care and services. If you’re someone who knows how to remain calm and collected in a fast-paced and changing environment, this career could be for you. Better yet, the need for EMDs is steadily growing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 4-8% growth over the next ten years.
5. Art therapist
Combine your love for creative expression with your desire to help others by becoming an art therapist. You might be surprised to learn that art therapists are considered mental health professionals. So, how exactly do they help with people’s health and well-being?
Art therapists use the power of the arts to promote health. Using several art-based techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpting, mixed media, and other mediums, art therapy helps individuals express and navigate difficult thoughts and feelings through creative activities.
Working across hospitals, schools, community clinics, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, private practice, and other settings, art therapists engage with an individual’s mind, body, and spirit in a way that’s uniquely distinct from verbal articulation.
6. Dietian
The chart of five food groups has likely been etched into the back of your mind from all of your years in school—so it should come as no surprise that the food you eat is a key contributor to your health. If you’re an advocate for healthy eating and want to help others maintain a healthy lifestyle by making the right food choices, you should consider a career as a dietitian.
Offering advice on food and nutrition, dietitians assess their patients’ health needs, dietary intake, and food preferences. Not only do they create personalized meal plans, but they work to educate patients on healthy eating habits and can provide counseling regarding health management through diet.
