Rewarding Massage Therapy Careers Offer Flexibility, Freedom, Promising Futures
She wants to travel, see the world, and make some money while she does it. That's why Chicagoan Brit Robinson, 23, is planning to become a massage therapist.
This fall, Robinson will begin taking classes towards her massage therapy certification. She'll learn the basics of the human body and hands-on massage techniques. She'll learn about a range of massage therapies, such as Swedish, trigger point, and deep tissue, and she'll pick the ones she wants to specialize in. And when she's done, she'll be ready to make her dream of becoming a massage therapist on a cruise ship a reality.
Flexibility, the option to travel, and a chance to be self-employed are the things that drew her to a career in massage, Robinson says.
"It offers me the chance to take that career anywhere in the world! I can work on a cruise line, travel everywhere I want to go, and still be on vacation at the same time that I'm working.
"Also, it's a career that makes it very easy for you to be able to own your own business and be your own boss. When I was younger I wasn't quite sure what it was that I wanted to be, but I always knew I wanted to run my own business. This is definitely a career that makes that possible and it's a wonderful thing."
Robinson also had a love of healing and helping people, two strengths that are crucial for massage therapists, who spend their days relieving the aches, pains, and stresses of others.
"Growing up a tom-boy and having all male friends that played sports played a big role in how I got into massage therapy," Robinson says.
"It started out with just helping them relax their muscles and rubbing out the tension. Many of my friends were on the swimming or baseball team and just had so much stress on their upper body. The next thing I knew I had clients and lunch money and that turned into gas and shopping money. Plus, I just like it. It does help some people in ways and I like that I can do my little part."
Robinson is entering the industry at the perfect time. With the benefits of massage therapy and other alternative medical treatments becoming more recognized, and with more and more health care facilities offering massage as a mode of treatment, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 20% growth in employment opportunities through 2016. This increase is already evident'the American Massage Therapy Association reports that the number of American who relied on massage therapies grew by 16 million between 1998 and 2008.
All of this growth bodes well for Robinson's career plans, especially for when she returns to the states.
"I want to explore the world, show my talents and have the ability to say I did that. Just think ... coming back after a few years with stories and a paycheck big enough for the possibility of opening your own business. That's what I think about. I can't wait for it either."
Want to learn more?
Check out this massage therapy career profile for career details, salary information and schools offering massage therapy programs.
About the Author:
Noel Rozny writes myPathfinder, the bi-weekly career blog for the myFootpath website. myFootpath is a resource to help you in your search for a college, degree program, career, graduate school, and non-traditional experiences. Visit myFootpath to start your college or degree program search.
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