The Art Of The Empath: 10 Best Jobs For Empaths That Heal — And 5 That Hurt
Empaths know how to thrive in difficult career fields.
Kenzie Kraft | Unsplash Where would the world be without empaths? We need perceptive people who demonstrate emotional intelligence and compassion around us to offset the negativity that intrudes on our daily lives. Empaths are highly sensitive people and can easily put themselves in someone else’s shoes. Though taking on the emotions of others can be overwhelming, empaths are a valuable commodity.
All empaths were not created the same. Some thrive in high-energy fast-paced settings while others love to create one-on-one connections with people. If you are an empath, deciding on the perfect career path can be a challenge. There are some that would be ideal, as well as others that should be avoided at all costs.
Here are 10 best jobs for empaths that heal — and 5 that hurt:
1. Medical doctor or registered nurse
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Empaths tend to excel in places where they can help others. Because they are in tune with their patients’ thoughts and feelings, and can easily identify people’s needs, a medical doctor or a nurse is a perfect profession for empaths.
Contrary to the myth that empathy leads to burnout, research indicates that empathetic doctors and nurses actually experience greater job satisfaction and less emotional exhaustion. Connecting with patients on a human level is what many empaths find deeply rewarding and meaningful.
2. Therapist
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It is natural for empaths to fall into the fields of psychology or psychiatry. Mental health requires proper attention and appropriate treatment.
Whether you choose to work in a private practice or take a job at a health and wellness clinic, empaths make great mental health professionals. Those that work independently in private practices tend to make more than a therapist working within a facility with an average salary.
3. Social worker
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The social work industry has some great careers for empaths. However, because you will be dealing with emotional people looking for an outlet and resources, it’s important to stay calm and grounded.
Social workers have to remain somewhat detached from the problems of the people they serve. This can make the field difficult but rewarding for empaths.
According to a 2020 study, empathetic social workers can achieve better client outcomes, feel more fulfilled in their work by providing compassionate assistance to vulnerable populations. Their ability to connect on an emotional level allows them to make a tangible difference in people's lives.
4. Career coach
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Empaths love to use their life lessons to help guide others. Career coaches assist people in identifying and landing the jobs of their dreams.
They come to you in a time of uncertainty and are looking for you to provide a sense of direction. Because of the desire to be of service to people, a career coach would be a great career for an empath.
5. Human resources manager
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A human resources manager oversees the people-related operations within a company. They are responsible for providing a good experience for employees throughout their life cycle at an organization.
Ideally, an HR Manager should be working to provide a safe, supportive, fair, and uplifting environment to employees. The only pitfall is that you may have conflicts between what the company wants and doing what you know is right.
The core function of HR is people-centric, requiring the ability to understand and address employee needs and concerns, which is a natural strength for empaths. A 2024 study suggested that HR managers can use their empathy to build strong relationships, foster a supportive environment, and help employees perform better.
6. Writer
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There are so many different ways of launching a career as a writer. You can work for an agency that creates content for clients, you can blog or write books, or you can be a technical writer.
Empaths often have powerful emotions, so they are keenly aware of what words to use to tug at the heartstrings of readers. They also tend to be more creative because they channel those feelings into their writing.
7. Life coach or guidance counselor
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As a young adult, you needed someone to help set you on the right path in life. As an empath, a career as a guidance counselor or life coach is an excellent way to give back.
There are people out there without anyone to bounce ideas off of or ask for suggestions. Your empathic ways could be just what they need to move the needle.
Research indicates that an empaths' heightened ability to connect with and understand others makes them effective in helping individuals navigate personal challenges, academic paths, and career goals by fostering strong, trusting relationships. They are often skilled listeners, able to fully focus on the client's needs without making the conversation about themselves.
8. Teacher
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Let’s face it, taking on the responsibility to educate a room full of children is no picnic. It requires patience, sensitivity, and the ability to connect.
Empaths are a shoo-in when it comes to teaching jobs. They are invested in their students’ success, and know how to interpret their emotions and create a successful environment.
9. Interpreter
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The ability to communicate effectively is an important role. Empaths not only translate words between parties, but they can also provide emotional support in the process.
Interpreters are needed everywhere due to the diversity of people around the world. Hospitals, schools, and workplaces are just a few places where your language skills would be appreciated.
Empaths can instinctively perceive and respond to subtle non-verbal signals, such as hesitation, body language, and tone of voice. Research has shown that these cues are often crucial for interpreting the full emotional context of a message, especially in high-stakes situations like medical or legal interpreting.
10. Artist
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As with writing, empathic people make great artists. Again, they can understand deep emotions and translate those feelings into beautiful artwork.
Most of the time, being an artist is not the most lucrative field you can have. But empaths are more concerned with intrinsic happiness than external rewards.
What jobs should empaths avoid?
There aren’t any "bad" jobs, just careers that may not be the best match for an empath. Surprisingly, jobs that have a lot of emotional strain are not optimal because they can be too much to handle.
One such role is a veterinarian. Unlike when practicing medicine, there will be times when you have to put an animal down. This is taxing on everyone involved and probably not the career of choice for you.
Sales often require empaths to overlook people’s feelings and focus on the bottom line, quotas, or commissions. Roles that are dependent on pushing products and services on others are not good for empaths.
Politicians and executives are often forced to bend to the will of sponsors, corporations, or investors. They are supposed to be for the people, but are sometimes faced with competing obligations. Empaths should avoid this field.
What should empaths consider when choosing a career path? When considering a career path, empaths need autonomy, connectedness, and purpose in order to feel passionate about the work they do.
Empaths need to work in jobs that are centered around providing help and resources to other people. Internal rewards that make you feel good about the work you’re doing should be prioritized over profits.
NyRee Ausler is a writer from Seattle, Washington, and the author of seven books. She covers lifestyle, entertainment, and news, and self-focused content, as well as navigating the workplace and social issues.
