Using Your Expertise via Employment

Now that you’ve considered the benefits, challenges and other implications of being a self-employed expert or practitioner in wellness, you may want to consider the other potential path. You might find yourself drawn to, or more comfortable with, the option of working for an existing organisation.

This means that you work for a specific employer who pays a consistent salary or wage and have access to the associated safety nets and securities of being employed.

The benefits of being employed as an expert or practitioner, are summarised below:

• You can focus on doing the work that you love (i.e. providing the actual service as a fitness trainer, a dietitian, a coach, etc.) without the distraction of also having to find clients and manage the administrative aspects of running a business
• You don’t have the same level of responsibility for attracting clients or building a brand – because your employer manages this
• You may have set hours, which could be preferable if you are somebody who likes routine and structure
• You might have access to additional training opportunities and the benefit of learning from other experts or practitioners in the employment setting (for example, if you’re a nutritionist working in the government health system, you’ll have access to professional development and more experienced practitioners from whom you can learn)
• You might feel less isolated because you’re working in a team
• You have access to the relevant employment benefits, which in most countries, usually includes sick/holiday pay and potentially, contributions to a pension

In ‘Job Opportunities in Wellness’ of this Expert Track, we’ll be exploring specific strategies around how to find a job in the wellness industry – including as an expert or practitioner. More and more companies are looking to hire wellness experts in various capacities, including (but not limited to):

• As a staff practitioner in a clinic setting (for example a Fertility Nutritionist working in an IVF clinic or a Massage Therapist working in a salon)
• As an expert who can advise on product or service development (for example, a Fitness Trainer working in a technology company to advise on product innovation or marketing)
• As a practitioner or expert that can support the health or wellbeing of other staff members (for example, a Life Coach working within a corporate organisation to support the emotional wellbeing of staff)

When it comes to finding job opportunities, you will need to consider some of the helpful actions outlined in the previous step – like ensuring that you’re experienced enough and confident in providing your expert service, and how you’re going to set yourself apart from other practitioners, by having a particular specialism or niche that you deliver.

Being an employed expert or practitioner can provide just as much fulfilment as being self-employed; and really comes down to your capacity, circumstances, and personal preference. It can also be a good stepping stone to self-employment because it provides insight into how to run a business, without the associated risks and responsibilities.