Jeff Garofalo is a chiropractor who, along with his wife Angie, owns and operates his own practice called New Life Chiropractic in Bolingbrook, Ill. Garofalo completed his education at Fordham University in New York. He focuses on patients of all ages, and does full spine adjustments as well as feet, knees, wrists, shoulders and arms, according to his website. He is known for his gentle techniques and has even been known to make house calls. He frequents chiropractic seminars to make sure he's up to date on the latest techniques and practices. Garofalo is very active in community education, talking to the public in a national radio show called Health Matters and maintaining the Bolingbrook Chiropractic Blog, where he writes about such chiropractic topics as specific types of adjustments, pinched nerves, alignment issues, carpal tunnel, flat feet and neck and back pain.

Why did you decide to pursue this career field?
Well, I was three years into a premed program in college, and about that time I decided I didn't want to be a medical doctor. I'd had surgeries done and had been sick a lot, and I woke up one day and said, "None of this (modern medicine) helped me. Why would I want to do this for other people?" I stayed with it (being a chiropractor) because it's a way to help people balance out their overall health without surgery.

What type of preparation did you do to get into this field?
Four years of college. To this date, there's no entrance exam to become a chiropractor—just interviews and having decent grades—2.9 or better. You have to be a hardworking person to be a chiropractor. School is challenging. If you want to be a chiropractor, you can count on doubling your college workload, basically. Three and one-third years is what it took me. I'm the type of person who wants to get in and get out and get it over with. But I would definitely say [studying to be a chiropractor] is a little harder than a normal college experience.

If your education was directly related to your career, what types of classes and projects did you have to do?
Biology, chemistry (organic and inorganic), physics, calculus, anatomy and physiology.

How did your education help you in your career?
My entire education was very tough on homework, studying and tests. Even my high school was like this. The college I went to was Fordham and they were no-nonsense. I was a premed student. I had a class where I had to be at school at 7 a.m. on a Friday in college, while some of my friends that were business students got to sleep in. I admit there were a couple times when I wouldn't show up to that class (laughs). But the schooling being quite rigorous prepared me for the real world because the real world can knock you around if you're not tough.

What was your career path like in this field? For example, did you begin in one position and advance through others to reach where you are now?
I worked for a couple different chiropractors while I was in school to get a feel for the industry. I opened up my first practice in New York, but it wasn't the exact place I was meant to be. I reopened a second office in Illinois. I never worked for anyone once I graduated. I would recommend that those studying in the field visit a bunch of different types of chiropractors. A lot of us practice very, very differently.

What types of skills is someone required to have to work in your position?
Leadership qualities. You have to be a strong leader and a huge people person. I liken it to being the maitre d' of a restaurant in that you wear a lot of different hats. You've got to be a business person and you've got to be a marketer, wearing the hat of making patients happy and promoting yourself. You've got to be dedicated, and you've got to want to achieve.

What do you do on a typical workday?
Work hard. We get in here and take care of as many families as we can. We do adjustments and make people better. Try to make as many people smile as we can. Try to offer the best possible service we can. We start early and end up late. At the end of the day, we try to be happy and smile. In between, there's staff meetings and all sorts of stuff that goes on.

Do you plan to advance to another position within your career field? If so, to what position and why?
I'm the owner and I started the business with my wife, so I guess you could say in a situation like mine that we started at the top. I never wanted to work for anyone; that's why I own my own practice. We plan on being around for the next 40 years. Working as an associate wasn't my path, but is a path for some people.

What type of person do you think is best suited for a job in your field?
A person who has thick skin and can handle criticism. We're already considered an alternative field, and a lot of people are scared of trying something new. Nothing's mainstream about what we do. You've got to be very confident.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to launch a career in your field?
It's an awesome career if you get into it for wanting to take care of people. It's not a career where you just show up, work and collect your paycheck. The only way you're going to survive and flourish is if it's your life. It's not a job. If you make it just a job, you're in trouble. If you live the chiropractic philosophy, then you'll enjoy what you do.