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What will you do after massage?
Mike Hinkle asked about your history in the "What did you do before massage?" discussion. I'm wondering about where people go after they leave massage therapy due to the career drift, attrition, dissatisfaction or retirement. Do you plan to die a MT or is there a back up plan for what comes next? Also, if you do plan to leave this field for another, what is prompting you to move on? This should be interesting... Thanks!~Rob
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on
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I'll go first. Don't know how many people are here to answer that question as they probably wouldn't be here, if they already decided to leave the field. But, there may be some that are contemplating career changes, probably because of finances more than dissatification. I proffer they should stay the course. They should get out and promote themselves more and make it happen.
Speaking for myself, I have found my niche. This profession allows the self interpretation, I have sought for years to find. I will be tied to this industry for the remainder of my time. There is nothing I have been shown, that affects people's lives and helps them as much as massage. I know others will come and go, many may return, but I will stay!
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Permalink Reply by Robert Chute on
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Yes, of course, I don't expect the people who have left to be keeping tabs on this forum, but some may be reevaluating their career paths and deciding right now. If so, I'd be very interested to hear about their plans and why they're leaving.
I've seen some signs, at least in Canada, that the attrition rate may be rising. After interviewing some people last spring I predicted more people would be leaving the field (especially part-timers or people who had multidisciplinary training.) Recently it's been confirmed to me by a less subjective source that more massage therapists in Canada (in the provinces with regulatory colleges) are leaving. Many more may leave in the next year or so for greener pastures.
I'm glad youre so committed. However, I'm sure there are some who, though they may still love bodywork, for many other reasons, feel they have to seek their fortunes and their futures elsewhere.
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I'm sure you are right!
Robert Chute said:Yes, of course, I don't expect the people who have left to be keeping tabs on this forum, but some may be reevaluating their career paths and deciding right now. If so, I'd be very interested to hear about their plans and why they're leaving.
I've seen some signs, at least in Canada, that the attrition rate may be rising. After interviewing some people last spring I predicted more people would be leaving the field (especially part-timers or people who had multidisciplinary training.) Recently it's been confirmed to me by a less subjective source that more massage therapists in Canada (in the provinces with regulatory colleges) are leaving. Many more may leave in the next year or so for greener pastures.
I'm glad youre so committed. However, I'm sure there are some who, though they may still love bodywork, for many other reasons, feel they have to seek their fortunes and their futures elsewhere.
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Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on
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I have been a massage therapist for over 25 years, and , like Mike, this is my niche. I am getting closer to retirement - in fact I am past the age where most people retire, but I have no desire to discontinue my practice.
I will keep going as long as i possibly can, just cutting back hours as I need to.
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Permalink Reply by Las Vegas Massage In Summerlin on
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I've looked at a bit more schooling to become a Physicians Assistant, M.D., or D.C.
I love school, especially the medical side.
I won't be trading in my massage therapist license though ;) I still love it.
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Kris: Interesting. I've often wondered what therapists feel prepared for in their next transition, whether it be to continue along the medical path or start a new business or both.
Rick: Interesting. I used to feel that way, too. Now I think I don't want to do any one thing for the rest of my life.
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Permalink Reply by Kim Goral on
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Well I am in a bit of a transition period that I guess is relevant to this question. I've been a MT for going on 4 years. Before I went to massage school, I got my bachelor's degree in psychology (though I never had any interest in becoming a counselor/clinical psychologist) and spent 3 semesters doing research in a primate lab (behavioral research with very well cared for monkeys ;).
I worked at a spa for a while and then opened my own business, sharing space in a professional building with a couple other MT's, and coincidentally clinical psychologists lol. I love massage, I love the profession, the people, the atmosphere etc. But most of my clientelle were people who worked days and came in to see me in the evenings. Working most evenings got old pretty quick. I didn't like the fickleness of clients (last minute cancellations, no-shows, or just slow weeks not booked up), no paid vacation, no other "benefits" (ins., 401k, etc). I loved my work and the flexability of it (need a day off? Just don't schedule clients! No need to ask permission).
I want a horse farm (small backyard type, not a large boarding/lesson barn) and am not independently wealthy (lol) and I realized I needed a more secure and hopefully larger pay check that I could count on getting X$ every week. Working with horses can be dangerous- what if I got hurt? Doing massages, you don't get paid if you don't work. You can't give a massage with a broken leg etc. I want to have at least one kid in the future..who would pay for maternity leave (or at least part of it). So all of these things went through my head, and I decided that while I don't want to leave the massage field completely, I needed to be doing something else.
During this period I also started getting more interested in research and became frustrated with the lack of it, and also the lack of MTs involved in it. So that was when I made the decision to go back to school, get my Master's degree, learn more about conducting and analyzing research and find a job where I can do massage research and have a regular paycheck. I realize what I am giving up with the flexability and control over my own work, but the trade off seems worth it to me to have the steadiness, benefits, and knowing that my work/research can help more people than I would ever physically touch. I hope to maintain somewhat of a small practice still doing massage, but I'm looking forward to doing other work as well.
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I have been reading the responses, and one thing becomes very clear. Our answers are very different, depending on age! Younger people are naturally open to moving on in different ways, and exploring different interests. It is unusual these days for a person to have only one career in a life-time. Most people have several careers, sometimes related and sometimes completely different.
As for myself, I have had several careers and massage therapy is my final one and the one I am happy with. I have done different things within the field of MT - taught, wrote courses, been director of 2 different schools, own and work in my own clinic - but all of it has been massage therapy. Since I am older than most of the other members on this site, I am not planning any further career moves. I figure if I can stand up, I can do massage!!
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I've often heard the magic five year number. If you stayed in MT for five years, so went the rule of thumb, you would probably continue for a long time.
Lots of people keep their hand in (no pun intended) though their time commitment might remain very minimal. I can think of two factors that influence this off the top of my head. It can be difficult to make the transition to being paid a lower hourly rate in a new entry-level job. Also, in recent years it seems the age of new MTs has shifted down and so (you're right) they are more prone to go through several career incarnations and be more fluid in their occupational choices.
I'm sure there are also some (who haven't spoken yet) who are dissatisfued with their MT situation as well. We haven't heard from them but I know they are out there since I've been disgruntled by turns myself.
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Permalink Reply by Travis Alligood on
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Retire in Seaside Florida, And continue to do massage on the beach that is after I take out the ugly building sitting in the middle of this small community, to build my Bed and Breakfast so when Im not on the baech doing massage, I can do them after I come from a long day on the beach. Peace Travis
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Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on
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This is my second career. For my third (retirement) career, I'd like to have a boarding kennel for dogs. I love dogs and they love me. That's still a long time down the road, at least ten more years.
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Permalink Reply by Stefanie Adams on
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I won't complain because for the most part massage been good to me for the past 6 years. I make more than decent money for very little capital and time investment. It's funny you should mention the 5 year mark, because I've felt a general, unexplainable dissatisfaction with massage for the last year. That's why I've been lurking around sites like this and participating occasionally.
Massage is my 3rd career choice. I worked as a medical assistant through 4 years of PA school before deciding it wasn't for me. So I finished an MBA and joined the corporate clones until my company went bankrupt. I knew several MTs who got me interested in the field, so here I am.
My biggest sources of dissatisfaction are the lack of professional respect and recognition, and increased difficulty filing insurance with decreased reimbursements. Because of my education and experience, my practice has gravitated towards medical work in a field where I'm not fully accepted as a medical provider. I wish there was a Canadian-style program in the US that provided credentials for those who want it. I would do it in a heartbeat!
My next plan is to open a restaurant, because food is my #1 passion and the business part won't be a problem for me. It's a very simple 2-person operation with a basic, inexpensive menu focusing on nutritious carryout for working families. The marketing plan is finished and my location is selected. I'm conflicted about abandoning a perfectly good massage business for 72-hour work weeks! I'm proceeding cautiously with the hope in the back of my mind that something will re-ignite the spark in my heart for massage!
Do you mind sharing your disillusionment with massage, Rob?
Robert Chute said:I've often heard the magic five year number. If you stayed in MT for five years, so went the rule of thumb, you would probably continue for a long time.
Lots of people keep their hand in (no pun intended) though their time commitment might remain very minimal. I can think of two factors that influence this off the top of my head. It can be difficult to make the transition to being paid a lower hourly rate in a new entry-level job. Also, in recent years it seems the age of new MTs has shifted down and so (you're right) they are more prone to go through several career incarnations and be more fluid in their occupational choices. I'm sure there are also some (who haven't spoken yet) who are dissatisfued with their MT situation as well. We haven't heard from them but I know they are out there since I've been disgruntled by turns myself.
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