A search on the Internet is probably the easiest way to develop a list of potential employers in your area, though both ABMP and AMTA offer job search boards for their members. Employers often send job announcements to schools to be posted on the school job board. Develop a list of at least ten potential […]
A. Identify and Research Potential Employers Read More »
A written career plan helps you focus your activities to achieve specific goals related to your career. Plans can be written for one year, three years, five years, or longer. While there are many different models for career planning, the following is specifically related to massage. A sample plan is provided in Figure 9-1. Goal:
D. Write Your Career Plan Read More »
If you ask professional therapists what the one thing that most surprised them when they began their career in massage was, they may tell you that massage can be a bit lonely. While working with clients, chatting about personal interests or the latest movie release is not appropriate. Sessions are often very quiet, focusing on
As you have progressed through massage school and learned more about the massage profession, some of your ideas about where you want to work have likely changed. As you plan your massage career, evaluate all of your options with an exploration of massage environments, specialization opportunities, and employee versus self-employment preferences. Massage Environments Chapter 1
B. Explore Your Options Read More »
Self-assessment is the process of gathering information about yourself in order to make good career decisions. There are numerous ways to conduct a self-assessment for career planning, and many free tools available on the Internet to help in the self-assessment process. It is helpful to evaluate these key areas: A value assessment helps you determine
A. Self-Assessment for Career Planning Read More »
In Topic 9-1, you assessed your values and skills and wrote a career plan to carry you through your first year as a massage therapist. This topic provides an overview of issues that concern therapists who start a private practice or work as independent contractors. Because the process of running a business is complex, view
Lesson 9-3: Starting a Private Practice Read More »
There are plenty of opportunities if you want to work as an employee in a variety of environments, such as spas, clinics, medical settings, and fitness clubs. The benefits include a dependable income, a regular schedule, freedom from the responsibilities of running a business, and having taxes automatically withheld from your paycheck. The drawbacks are
Lesson 9-2: Work as an Employee Read More »
Career planning is a lifelong process that takes place as people grow and change through new experiences. A career in massage allows for constant growth because you can work in a variety of different environments, specialize in knowledge related to particular populations of clients, and learn a multitude of massage systems that approach the body
Lesson 9-1: Your Career Plan Read More »
Each person enters the massage profession for a different reason. Some are seeking meaningful work where they can help other people feel better. Others want a flexible schedule, to meet new people, skills that can travel with them wherever they go, or interesting part-time work they can balance with family life or another parallel career.
Lesson 9-0: Introduction Read More »
Interactive and engaging digital textbooks and online continuing education for the 21st century massage therapist.