Go back to school?

[Scanner]

I'd like to add something to this piece of advice. . .it's "semi-political" but not all. . .I am trying to personalize it to you.

The CEO of General Electric Corp. once quipped about American college graduates:

We had more sports-exercise majors graduates than electrical engineering graduates last year. If we want to become the massage capital of the world, we are well on our way."

- Jeff Immelt, CEO, General Electric Corp.

Now, I don't think his comment was meant to be snotty towards massage therapists. Heck, I kinda include my own profession (chiropractic) in that kind of a statement so I kind of take it to heart and so, I am NOT encouraging any of my kids to go into the "sports therapy" type of disiplines. . .with perhaps the exception of physical therapy, which deals directly with stroke rehab and other aging conditions besides "pain."

A. There isn't a market for it. Yeah, yeah, they say the Boomers are aging and all that and it would seem like it's a market ready to explode - massage. . .the problem is there are so many choices. For instance, 97124 is "massage therapy", a code billable by PT's and DC's. . .and it would be performed by physical therapy assistants.

B. For my kids, I agree with this CEO - I think better opportunities lie elsewhere.

So what I would encourage you to do is. . .think outside the "healthcare box", that's all and figure out how you can get involved with "engineering and science", even if it's learning another language like Chinese to help engineers and science.

You seem like a smart enough guy and use your massage license to propel you to that path.

I don't think these CEO's were just "whining" - they have to give all decent careers now to overseas graduates (India mainly).

[uRabbit]

I have thought about doing something in computers, as I am quite good with them. However, all computer degrees require math of a high level that I cannot get excited about. Same with eco-technologies. Have wanted to get involved, but the mathematics. Haha.

Nursing is, I feel, one of the few ways I could make a living doing something I enjoy.

[snafu]

Best to make decisions based on knowledge and that is obtained via research. Try Linked.com for employment, likewise Workopolis. Go to your library and enlist their aid for What Color is My Parachute books or whatever is popular in your community. Go to early morning [6 AM] business clubs for leads on employment. Craig'slist and Kijji + name of your community would be good to post your masseuse service. Also hourly rated work which at least bring in money to save for tuition

[adstalker]

I will look into it further, of course. As for making money as a Massage Therapist, it takes more than just 'opening up shop and hoping clients come in'. Massage is not viewed as a necessity. You have to be a marketing guru, unless you want to work in someone else's spa the rest of your career, making $20-40 per massage. And at only 3-4 massages per day, 3-4 days a week... It's just not enough. I wouldn't go to school for massage I did it over again. I love massage. I love performing and receiving. But it is hard on the body and you are not likely to make more than $30,000 annually.

I own 3 chinese foot massage business here in Los Angeles. The initial investment is about 70-80k for renovations and equipment purchase for each location. We charge $25 /hour for a foot massage and the split is $15 goes to my employee and I get $10. At my busiest location we average about 80 - 100 customers a day. At my other 2 locations its roughly half of that.

All you need to do is pick a good location with not much competition in your area, do a little marketing (we do fliers on cars, mailers to homes in the area, etc), and have enough savings set aside to keep the business afloat for the first 3 month ( like you said you will be only getting 3 -4 customers a day in the beginning) I can typically break even during month 5 and 6. Like I was saying before, if you have the investment capital, and the drive to start a massage business it can be very lucrative. My best store averages about 15-20k net per month.

Im not trying to sell you as to why you should start a massage business. I just think its a waste for you to already have a perfectly good degree, and not do anything with it. I hate to see you spend more money on nursing school and then come out and be in the same situation.

I have a few friends whom are what I like to call career students. They keep getting more certifications and degrees because they always think they cant get the right job with the education they have now. Its really not about what kinds of degree you have, it only matters what you do with your education to make you money.