Career Direction

[Randy]

I've been a CMT for almost 2 years now and I've been thinking about the direction I want my career to go in. What do I want to be doing??? When I was in school we had to write down all the modalities/certs that interested us so we could refer back to our lists once we got out into the "real world" Since I joined the "real world" I've only obtained one cert., in pregnancy massage.

I have an idea, something that I'd like to volunteer my time doing. I want to get certifications in infant massage and as a doula. I'd like of offer services to people who normally wouldn't be able to afford them; teen, single, and low-income mothers-to-be/families. So I think that's a pretty good start. But that's really something, at least right now, that I want to offer for free. Maybe working with 1-2 families a year. I don't really know how I'd work it. Does anyone else do this type of thing? It's not really what I want to be my money maker, I don't think???

I have become curious about aryuveda and reflexology, so I'll add those to my list. I used to show horses, so equine massage is definately on my list. And I love relaxing at the spa, so spa services are on my list. Right now I specialize in deep tissue, pregnancy, hot stone, and relaxation massage. I also do the spa services we offer at my facility, mud wrap, salt glow, raindrop therapy (although, I'm looking into the RDT, not really into the YL Co.)

Anyway, I'm just curious how all of you knew what you wanted to be "when you grew up". Did you know from the get go what kind of practice you wanted to create or where you wanted to work? Was it something that you came to know over time or just chance? Has it changed?

Steph!

 

[Inzane]

I had no idea what I wanted to do once finishing massage school. I knew I wanted to do massage and I didn't like college.

I started doing a little massage work for the DC I was the office manager for. Only a few massages a month. Left there and went to work for my school.
I worked in the professional clinic, did billing for insurance, started off as a teachers aid and then became a teacher.
Left there on fairly bad terms, but really miss the teaching so I have been playing with the idea of offering general public classes at the local community college. I don't want to work for another school, since the majority of the one's around me have really bad reputations.

After working for some other really horrible places I finally decided that after 9 years I would go on my own. Scariest thing I have done so far. I am so glad that I did it now. I was young when I started massage school (19) so at that age I didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do. It took me a while and many learning experiences to get me to where I am happy right now. I have many years ahead.

For now I am TTC and working at home to make things easier once I have a baby, so things are kind of just hanging there till that happens. Just relaxing for now.
But my plans are to one day open my own office and hire a MT or two as well as a few other specialties (acupuncture or Reflexology). A place for health maintenance. I might have the opportunity to join my DC, MT and Acup. in a business, but it will be a while for that - so I am just going with the flow.

The goal to be my own business has always been there, but the details have changed some with events in my life.

 

[Fallon123]

i've got to come back to read the entire posts by both you salem rose and masthera but wanted to mention real quick what i had an idea about a while back but have put it on the back burner for a while. probably a long while. i seem to be going a different direction but i was initially interested in starting a non-profit organization that would offer infant massage to teen mother & FATHERS (they always get left out but i thought it would be an awesome way to help them feel connected to their babies). maybe not just teens but low-income families. anyway, i'll post more later....i've got to run.

 

[Awsome girl 37]

The thought that just occurred to me, I think I'd also like to volunteer working with women who have had abortions. That's got to be tough on mind, body, and spirit. Anyone do anything similar???

Steph!

 

[Natasha]

The thought that just occurred to me, I think I'd also like to volunteer working with women who have had abortions. That's got to be tough on mind, body, and spirit. Anyone do anything similar???

Steph!

Not directly dealing with women, but I volunteer massages for troops who have recently come home. Just by word of mouth.

Is this more of the type of post you wanted? I hope my post above wasn't too much - guess you get to learn a ton about me then. :?

 

[Lux Marmont]

Masthera,
Your posts are exactly what I want. I really enjoyed reading them, thank you! I hadn't thought of doing that kind of volunteer work but I'm sure if I started I'd always have someone to work on.

I worked on a guy in the Navy yesterday. He was home for a short leave from Japan. He really enjoyed the work. He asked if I knew any place open on a Sunday that did pedicures. I didn't. So I gave him a quickie but goodie foot massage and an extra 10 mins on his half hour appt. He is coming back later this month. I told him that I'd heat up my small pot of stones and give him a sample hot stone massage. Gotta give a little for those that work hard for our country!

Steph!