Creative problem solving - internships?

[Bralon]

First - I love this board, what a resource! As someone who is pre-school, I am finding a great amount of information and inspiration here.  Thank you!I am wondering if any of you are participating in or have heard of an internship-like situation, i.e. working for a spa/chiropractor/other during school, in exchange for help with financing school, or with a 'service-cancellable' loan sort of agreement.I think the latter would be less attractive, as it would restrict a newly graduated MT to working for a specific business for X-amount of time. However, I'm trying to think of any and all possibilities for financing my education. I am considering approaching some locals in an attempt to work out an assistance/work agreement. I don't know that there's much 'grunt work' that can be done by a not-yet-skilled intern, except in the case of a larger spa setting, so I'm trying to find suggestions that would benefit the 'mentor' in the situation. Also, since bodywork is so personal [and building clientel is just as personal!], I can see some possible issues in that vein.Is this sort of thing "done"? Any thoughts? I would be very appreciative of input from students as well as professionals who could offer the 'mentor' perspective...

 

[viet mixed girl]

Creative problem solving - internships?

It would have been great had this been an option for me (and others in my class with financial aid). Heck, it'd be a great learning option even without the financial support (kinda like a Sunday thing - {am in class on Saturdays}).

 

[Pearl]

Creative problem solving - internships?

The gal I have been sort of mentoring for the past year was actually "interned" through her school to a clinic in a city about 1 hour south of her. (She's 30 minutes south of me.)I'm not sure how many days a week she worked with them in addition to going to school.There are probably some former graduates from your school however, that might be willing to have you come help them out as part of an internship/externship situation.Even w/o the internship element it's still nice to have someone to discuss professional issues with... and that's something you miss when you are no longer having class or massage sessions weekly.Try asking the admin at your school if they could arrange something for you... or give you a list of former grads in your area so that you can call and talk to them!

 

[Wonder]

Thanks, Nancy. I'll do that.  

 

[Purple Drank Forever]

Check to see what is legal in your state.  If you are not allowed to practice massage until graduation or until a portion of your program is completed, you may be doing laundry or reception for a few months.  Your prospective mentors will appreciate having a proposal up front, with timelines if regulations limit type of work.  Also your school may have suggestions; one of my classmates cleaned the school during our class span and another did groundskeeping there.  (This can be a sticky emotional arrangement though, so be sure you will have a good relationship w/the school before you consider this option.  None of their employers was a teacher of ours, for instance.)  Good luck with this interesting idea!