Career Corner: Aromatherapy as a Career Option

Ranjan K Baruah

We are aware of different therapies which are important for healing or for other purposes related to our health and well being. In today’s edition, we shall discuss about a therapy which is not very popular in our region but which holds a lot scope in the near future. We shall discuss about Aromatherapy. Well, let us understand what is Aromatherapy and how this can be our career option. Aromatherapy or Essential Oil therapy is a complementary and alternative medicine designed for the treatment or prevention of diseases with the use of essential oils and other aromatic plant compounds.

It uses aromatic materials, including essential oils, and other aroma compounds, with claims for improving psychological or physical well-being. It is offered as a complementary therapy or as a form of alternative medicine, the first meaning alongside standard treatments, the second instead of conventional, evidence-based treatments. Aromatherapy, the ‘Treatment through Fragrance’, can be termed as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants for stability, harmonize and encourage the health of body, mind and spirit. The use of essential oil brings marvellous physical and mental benefits to the patients.

It is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Individuals who are associated with it are called as aroma therapists and these are the people who specialize in the practice of aromatherapy, utilize blends of supposedly therapeutic essential oils that can be used as topical application, massage, inhalation or water immersion.

The use of essential oils for therapeutic, spiritual, hygienic and ritualistic purposes goes back to a number of ancient civilizations including the Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans who used them in cosmetics, perfumes and drugs. Oils were used for aesthetic pleasure and in the beauty industry. It was a luxury item and a means of payment. It was believed the essential oils increased the shelf life of wine and improved the taste of food.

Becoming an aroma therapist is a challenging career option as it is new when it comes to earning and career perspectives. It is fun as well as challenging to learn aromatherapy. There are few institutes that offer certificate or diploma courses related to aromatherapy. Jobs or designation related to this field includes: Aromatherapy or Aromatic consultant, Aromatherapy Writer, Spa Consultant, Aromatherapy Educator, etc. One may work for others or may start their own venture related to same for which they need other skills. This brings opportunities in the state of Assam and other north-eastern States as its new vista in the field of employment and most important is it is also related to lifestyle.

Aroma therapists: An Aroma therapist is a trained person who specializes in conducting aromatherapy treatments using important oils. An Aroma therapist consults, advises markets and sells a range of aroma treatments and goods. An Aroma therapist should have knowledge of health, protection, hygiene, essential oils, and aroma therapies. This job requires a person with experience in aromatherapy treatments to provide services efficiently and effectively in a secure and hygienic working environment. The individual must exhibit a pleasing personality, excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Junior Aroma therapist: Junior Aroma therapist is expected to help the aroma therapist in providing aromatherapy. A Junior Aroma therapist needs to be aware of the basics of aromatherapy, health and cleanliness, safety and needs to be knowledgeable about various products and treatments. The individual is expected to assist the aroma therapist in providing aromatherapy and should possess basic understanding of the important oils. This job requires an individual to be well versed in aromatherapy treatments to help the aroma therapist in delivering services efficiently and effectively in a safe and hygienic working environment. The individual must demonstrate a pleasant personality, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

Scholarships Update:

Exam Update:

CAT 2019 will be conducted on November 24, 2019 (Sunday) in two sessions. It will be conducted in test centres spread across approximately 156 cities. The duration of the test will be 180 minutes. There will be three sections:

Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension,

Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning,

Section III: Quantitative Ability

Candidates will be allotted exactly 60 minutes for answering questions in each section and they will not be allowed to switch from one section to another while answering questions in a section. Some questions in each section may not be of multiple-choice type. Instead, direct answers will have to be typed on the screen. Candidates are advised to work on the tutorials available on the CAT website well in advance. CAT website: www.iimcat.ac.in

(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor, skill trainer, motivational speaker and strategic planner who has conducted career awareness programme in different parts of Assam and the Northeast and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 8473943734 for any career related queries.)