Young, Unexperienced, and Scared

[HolidayOnTheBuses]

I feel like I'm in quite a dilemma. I decided a while back that I wanted to become a massage therapist. My parents have pressured me to do something else. Something profitable because they feel I won't make any money and I'll end up jobless and living under a bridge. And I do highly value my parents opinion because I know they are only looking out for my best interest and because they both know what it's like to struggle in the job market. But I feel like I can really do this if I get a little push.

I'm 19 years old. I'm in shape. I'm young. I'm also in the National Guard. Any schooling I have to go through is completely paid for by them. I also have no chance of being deployed to the desert. One year from now my unit will be deploying to D.C. and getting paid oodles of money for almost no work. I expect at least 40k in my account when I return.(This will be my moving out money.) I have no spouse and no children or dependants to care for or feed other than myself. I am not a big money spender or partyer. I am your average, low-maintenance, Internet dwelling 19-year-old.

All that being said, I believe I have every major advaneforum.xxxe to start a new career that most will never have. And I find myself very fortunate and thankful to have such. My inexperience is also my weakness. Truthfully, I'm scared of starting anew even though I have a huge advaneforum.xxxe over other people.

Is massage therapy a good field to be getting into right now? Am I going to have to claw tooth and nail to find even a half decent job? Or should I reconsider my options and try something else? The only problem with that is I can't think of anything else I would rather do with my life. I need some serious feedback and support here. Please help a newbie make the right choices with his life before he jumps out too far on a ledge that he can't climb back up. Thank you.

 

[Christopher M]

Thoughts:

There's never a good or bad time to get into massage, that's not the way it works... you should consider this work if you feel deeply called to it. You might consider working with a competent spiritual director, life coach, or psychotherapist to evaluate your motives and options. It's also ok to explore to work slowly before jumping right in--receive some different kinds of bodyw ork, take a weekend class when you have the time, go from there.

This is the kind of work you succeed at only if you absolutely HAVE to or it's absolutely right for you. I think many people do very well at it and many others struggle and struggle with it.

On another topic, if I were in your position, I would not let the US Government get away without paying for a Bachelors of some sort.

Does anyone on the board know if there is a school where one can graduate with a CMT and a BA/BS?

 

[Camellia A]

At Northwestern Health Sciences University (http://www.NWHealth.edu) you can get a CMT in a year or so, and take additional courses to complete a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. The B.S. courses are all included in the chiropractic program, and many choose to go on and get their DC, which takes 3 1/2 to 4 years. For details on the B.S. program, go here: http://www.nwhealth.edu/edprogr/bscience.html

A B.S. in Human Biology will be of great assistance in pursuing any health, fitness, wellness, etc. career. If I was 19 and had access to the GI bill for paid education, I'd definitely go for it!

 

[Bryan D]

I have a BS in Human Biology from the University of Texas because I thought I was going to go to medical school. I changed my mind and just got my massage license and opened my business. Unfortunately any type of Biology undergrad degree will only get you a job making 25-30K a year working full time. I don't know if the BS will really be worth the 50K in loans I now need to pay back, but if someone else was paying then it wouldn't be a big deal. It was definitely a breeze to pass my licensing exam, and I didn't have to take or pay for the Anatomy/Physiology/Health & Hygiene/ or Pathology classes. I'm hoping my BS degree will give me credibility in the very congested massage market of Austin, but who knows. It will definitely be an interesting journey! I also plan on adding a personal training certification, and possibly way down the road after I have kiddos I always have the ability to attend graduate school. A bachelor's degree isn't always the answer though. I wish the US would focus more on trade schools, and less on pushing everyone to go to college.

 

[jinenglish68]

I wish the US would focus more on trade schools, and less on pushing everyone to go to college.

Why? I think there's more value to the education than simply getting a higher paying job.

 

[Man city]

I'm also in the National Guard. Any schooling I have to go through is completely paid for by them.

I think going into massage is a wonderful thing, however, since the govt. is willing to pay for your education, I'd highly suggest getting your BS degree and while so, taking as many health related classes as possible. Specifically anatomy & physiology, which you should later be able to use to comp out of any A&P classes in future massage school.

It sounds like Jason's school could help you accomplish something of the like and get the govt. to pay for the whole thing. Something to seriously consider.

I don't think a person has to have a 4 year education to make it in this world, but I do think getting one is always of great benefit to the majority of folks wandering around out there, if you have the opportunity.

I also think that if you are interested in the health care professions, having the BS puts you in the running to later choose from the following and more, quite easily. Granted, some of these may only take a two year degree, but you'll get the idea as I yammer on....

DC - Doctor of Chiropractic (when I went to school you did not have to have the BS to get into Chiropractic College, only the pre-requisites, which took about 3 years.) I am not sure what the current requirement is. Back then you could also get your BS degree at the same time as you attended Chiropractic College. So, it could be something to check into in general.

L.Ac. - You must have a 4 year degree in order to go to acupuncture college.

RN - Registered Nurse

Nurse Practitioner - I think you need a Masters Degree for this.

Radiologist (I had planned to complete my radiology Diplomate, but eventually had to give that up due to circumstances beyond my control - so I went for Orthopedics instead.) --- and as a Medical Radiologist you'd need 4 years of education to even get rolling in this direction.

Radiology Technician - there are certificate courses, but there is also the BS degree plan which is desirable for supervisory, administrative, or teaching positions.

Dosimetrist - I think this is a one year plan, but you may want to see if you need any BS work for this.

Speech Pathologist - I believe you would need a Masters Degree for this.

Well, etc. etc. etc..... I think you can see that the BS can really help when it comes to advancing into medical related fields. Can't get the Masters unless you have the Bachelors, and on down the line...

 

[Kayt5]

If I where your parent I would say don't even think about not getting a BA. As has been said there is a lot more value in the education itself then just what sort of high paying job you may or may not come out with. You are YOUNG. You have time on your side and can do anything and everything that you can imagine. The possibilities are endless. Massage may be it it the end, but you are lucky to be able to explore so many things. Don't give that up.
(and I do have a 19 year old!)

 

[Panda]

I don't think a person has to have a 4 year education to make it in this world, but I do think getting one is always of great benefit to the majority of folks wandering around out there, if you have the opportunity.

The possibilities are endless. Massage may be it it the end, but you are lucky to be able to explore so many things. Don't give that up.

Soooooo true! You are so young, get as much education as you have the opportunity to!
It really opens doors for you, and will throughout the rest of your life. Once life gets a hold of you it is not easy to go BACK to school, so do what you can now.

(This is said by the former 19 year old who ONLY wanted to do massage, so went to a 1 yr. massage program after HS. Massage is IT for me, I am made for it and it is most definately in my soul. But I don't really have many other options either, besides working at a gas station.)