Seriously Concerned

[La Don Akela]

So I start school at Utah College of Massage therapy on 3/17, and I'm starting to have serious doubts. I love the idea of being an MT-I'm planning on getting my dual citizenship in Italy and hopefully taking my practice to somewhere in Europe.
However, the naysayers in my life are saying that I'm wasting my time, and that if I insist on going to a career school of any variety that I should do something that i can use in continuing education (like an Associates of Science).
I do intend on continuing my education in the future, but I'm starting to feel pretty down about the idea of MT, simply because....what if I'm not able to get work outside of the country?-which is the intent. Life experience. My path obviously isn't anyone's but mine, but I'm plagued with self-doubt now that I'm down to crunch time.

Supporting words, advice and any applicable information would be MUCH appreciated (and NEEDED!!!!!! )

 

[no one can compare]

I think it is your life and if this is the right path in your life you truly will know that deep down. Being a massage therapist can lead to many things. The various settings such as a spa or hospital, only you can decide which way you choose to take this career. You will have to make the desion for your self. This is however something you have to be really compassionate about doing. You seem like your getting cold feet now that school is about to start, maybe it is just the "naysayers" around you making you second guess yourself. I think you are interested in massage or you would not have enrolled in school. Can you check and see if the school is having a weekend massage course in the next week or so ? Maybe a local MT might be having a class, check around and see. Perhaps if you can find a class you can go before school starts. Whatever you decide good luck.
Renee

 

[Pompal 09.]

Rabbit- I occasionally teach in Italy. You may want to look into the requirements they have for MT's. I am not sure that any training you receive here will fully license you over there or even be accepted partially. From my conversations with my students there I think they have to go for a few years to qualify. But then that is so you could work at a spa. You could probably freelance there if you know people.

But don't get discouraged, get information and base your decisions on the facts first. If you love this work then it will be worth pursuing no matter what.

Best of luck to you.

 

[@markvukovic]

I would definitely research this more before you make the decision to go to school for massage. See what the requirements are, etc. Some countries in Europe have many hours in the requirements in order to practice, some don't.

.

 

[Meeka]

Seriously Concerned

I do intend on continuing my education in the future

I am not an education "ho", but I do have higher education, and I know that generally when someone says they plan to get their education in the future, many times life takes you in places where it just isn't possible to happen.

I do believe if you have the opportunity to get your formal education now, you should persue that and possibly take massage classes slowly on the side.

I don't want to tell you not to be a massage therapist, but with elsewhere's info and your comment of working on another continent, it makes a lot of sense to really think things through before leaping in.