First Job

[Fashionislove]

Hi! I'll be graduating in Jan. (fingers crossed, get license right after that), and I was wondering what those in the field think is a good first job. I can't afford to and I also know I don't have the business experience yet to start working on my own, but that's my end goal.

I want to build contacts in the medical field around me, and was curious if getting a job with a chiropractor would be a good idea. What are other good ways to get experience immediately, still be able to pay bills, and start gaining knowledge about running a small business?

This feels weird to ask b/c I'm usually more healing focused ( how clients will feel when they leave a session, etc.), but if I don't do this research now I know I'll regret it later. Thanks for the advice.

 

[bubblegum101]

Hi Jazz, and congrats on your upcoming graduation!

I intended to work for myself right out of school. Some people do this and are very successful. However, I in university at the time and didn't have the time to get out and get known in my community (sort of a must when you're going it alone right away). So I ended up working at the intern clinic at the school I graduated from (as a licensed therapist, to keep the clinic going between graduating classes of interns). It wasn't great money, certainly not what I would've made in private practice, but it was fair and it did pay my bills, and they supplied what I needed most--clients!

I still set several days aside each week for my private practice clientele. At first it was few & far between, but then my internet presence built up and a lot of ppl found me that way, and then they started referring and then it snowballed from there. But, that took 3 years and a LOT of good website work that we did ourselves. As the private practice grew, I slowly started whittling my availability down at the school clinic, until finally I had 1 day remaining, which I finally took off a few months ago, thus leaving the clinic altogether. I work from my home which is not for everyone but it works well for us!

Working for a chiro can be great or it can NOT be great. It all depends on who you work with/for and their philosophy (toward their own patients and also toward massage therapy). DCs, like MTs, get into the field for a variety of reasons, not all of them solid, if you know what I mean! So, shop carefully, and keep your options open. Don't be afraid to tell them YOUR philosophy and what YOU are looking for!

Best of luck!
Hugs,
~Jyoti