Rewarding occupations
Career opportunities, options abound in health-and-wellness field
Careers in the field of health and wellness have grown increasingly popular for young adults over the last several decades. This growth may be attributed to today’s focus on immediate and long-term health, with more people adopting lifestyles designed to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Not surprisingly, career opportunities in health care and health and wellness are on the rise, and the following are a handful of careers that students who are interested in health and wellness may want to consider.
HEALTH EDUCATOR The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook — which projects the percent of change in employment — for health educators and community workers will grow by 21 percent between 2012 and 2022. That’s nearly twice the average growth rate for all occupations during the same time frame.
Health educators perform a wide variety of tasks, including teaching and promoting various wellness practices. Health educators may also develop strategies and campaigns to promote community and individual wellness.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Massage therapists provide a variety of services to relieve stress and help people recover from injuries. In addition, massage treatments can be used to improve circulation and increase relaxation, both of which can contribute to a patient’s long-term health.
The BLS projects the job outlook for massage therapists between 2012 and 2022 to grow by 23 percent. This prediction indicates that an array of opportunities will be available to people who are interested in pursuing a career in massage therapy.
It’s important to note that massage therapists typically must complete a substantial amount of postsecondary education before earning a license or certification.
NUTRITIONIST OR DIETITIAN
If you have an interest in food and nutrition, you may want to consider a career as a nutritionist or dietitian.
Dietitians and nutritionists often fall under the same career umbrella, and the BLS reports that the job outlook for both careers to grow between 2012 and 2022 is 21 percent.
These health professionals often serve as advisers to individuals or organizations that embrace or encourage healthy lifestyles. These professionals may work in hospitals, nursing homes, cafeterias, private clinics or other settings.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Occupational therapists employ everyday activities to treat patients who are dealing with injury, disability or illness. Occupational therapists may help patients relearn how to feed and dress themselves. Some therapists work exclusively with stroke patients who have lost their ability to perform certain tasks as a result of having a stroke.
The BLS reports that the job outlook for occupational therapists, who earned a median annual wage of roughly $75,000, is to grow by 29 percent between 2012 and 2022.