Empathy is an integral part of our human nature. It is a skill ingrained in us, but it can also be learned and improved upon. Explore ways to develop your empathy and be more successful in life.

Watch a TED Talk about empathy.

Think about the last time you were at a doctor or dentist's office--what made you nervous? What made you feel better? Is helping people through an experience like this something you'd like to do?

Picture working in a medical office.

Massage Therapists

Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Receive massage. Take an intro course. And be curious. Don't listen to people who say bad things about being a massage therapist. People who complain about being a massage therapist are most likely not the ones that wanted to be in that profession. They saw a quick schooling, and thought they could make quick money. If you really want to work with your hands and have an immediate, direct effect on improving someone's quality of life, then just go for it!

My parents refused to co-sign my student loan. I asked every single person in my family. I asked people not in my family. I was persistent and never gave up and an aunt and uncle finally came through.

I took a lot of drugs in high school. Eventually my drug use tapered off in my early twenties. I didn't have much in the way of emotional support, but once I found a community of supportive friends I didn't need that crutch.

I have epilepsy, I've struggled with severe depression and my body seems to allows get physically hurt one way or another. Embrace your disabilities. It can always be worse. Be grateful for the lessons it has to teach you. Don't let it define you.

I come to work and massage people. I listen to what is causing pain in their bodies, and I address the issues by massaging, stretching, and implementing other bodywork techniques. I work about four hours a day, three to four days a week. I also work at the front desk from time to time.

Massage Therapist

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Healthcare Support Occupations

Other Healthcare Support Occupations

Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.

Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.

Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.

Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.

Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.

Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.

Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.

Massage Therapists

Overview

Career

What Massage Therapists Do

Other Job Titles Massage Therapists May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Massage Therapists

Overview

Career

What Massage Therapists Do

Other Job Titles Massage Therapists May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Massage Therapists

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders