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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 4:00:34 PM   
windchymes


Posts: 9410
Joined: 4/18/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

Changing direction? Yep....I'm about 7 weeks away from finishing school.....to be a massage therapist!


I havent wanted to burst your bubble but honeyyour fantasy will become a reality and you will be part time with no benefits. When one does manage to get full time work the burnout level is 6 years because of the physical dememnds. If you dont have kids and can work at 4 places at once all on call, you may be able to string a living together. If you can have your own business and make money from other working for you it may be better. Though the place I take calls at the owner went back to work as an Engineer to pay the bills and others have to run her business on the things she cant afford to pay people for like laundry and cleaning.


I just wanted to add that I am not trying to be harsh. I have been in the business for many years. I was a bright eyed new therapist at one time too. In a much better economy. I have also taught massage. The one thing student have in common is an over inflated sense of how much money they are going to make and an under inflated sense of how hard it truly is physically over time or that it is a service job that you are making money off the sweat of your brow whether you are helping people or not.



Wow. I'm really sorry it was a bad career choice for you, but I have also been in "the business" in other aspects for many years, and I know many massage therapists who DO make a good living and who love their work....after ten years or more. My instructor left a finance career and is making a VERY good living, complete with full benefits from her employer, three years after her schooling. Oh, and she's 62 years old.

So, don't worry about bursting any bubbles, mine are completely intact and my eyes are just as dull as ever. Honey.

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Profile   Post #: 21
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 4:04:15 PM   
intenze


Posts: 2176
Joined: 1/26/2009
Status: offline 		I am echoing what Merc said. If you know how to do PR, do it for a large group of chiropractors. Set up your own solutions management business specializing in the unique marketing problems that exist for massage therapists, I bet you know what they are! There are still quite a few grants out there, by the way, for women starting their own business. Check with the local SCORE group or at Northwestern to see if they have any business incubators. It can buy you some time.
If you know how to manage people, try looking at management of a large massage place.
There are a lot of directions you can go. Teaching is a talent, an art, and a skill. If you can teach, you can easily get a degree and work as a teacher, although those jobs are getting tighter as well as the population decreases. You may find your niche working in special education, helping out kids with problems like Aspergers. The federal government will take care of 17,500$ of student loans if you teach in a Title 1 school.
I went from a research scientist, to a marketing executive, to a secondary school teacher. Anything is possible!


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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 5:22:44 PM   
thornhappy


Posts: 8596
Joined: 12/16/2006
Status: offline 		What about engineering?  Many the high-tech company's come to a bad end from operations/marketing chief officers.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

~ Fast Career Consulting ~

There are only three jobs in the world; marketing, operations management, support. Every job is one of those three. If you are good at any, the industry is immaterial. If you are good at them all - you should be an owner. If you are good at any of them and are unemployed, or underemployed, you not sufficiently motivated. If you are bad at them all - you are unemployed.

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Profile   Post #: 23
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 5:29:14 PM   
WinsomeDefiance


Posts: 6719
Joined: 8/7/2007
Status: offline 		Lushy, have you considered the phone sex business?  I hear there's a sexy gal on collarme who could point you in the right direction of a new career with potential...I'd consider it mysself, except for this problem I have with uncontrollable fits of laughter when I try it.  For some reason, it isn't the response men seem to be looking for.

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 5:34:06 PM   
stella41b


Posts: 4258
Joined: 10/16/2007
From: SW London (UK)
Status: offline 		I'm changing, but changing by way of expansion rather than leaving something and going on to something else. 

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 5:37:46 PM   
Mercnbeth


Posts: 11766
Status: offline
quote:

What about engineering? Many the high-tech company's come to a bad end from operations/marketing chief officers.
Most of them from my experience with 'management' either over, or under, estimating the market and/or product value. What else about engineering? The 'engineer' supports the project, which must have a 'market'. The project requires implementation by a managed operation. The "bad end" was a result of either bad marketing, bad operations management which developed a bad product, bad back room support, or a combination of all three.

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Profile   Post #: 26
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 6:11:56 PM   
lusciouslips19


Posts: 9792
Joined: 9/8/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes


quote:

ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

Changing direction? Yep....I'm about 7 weeks away from finishing school.....to be a massage therapist!


I havent wanted to burst your bubble but honeyyour fantasy will become a reality and you will be part time with no benefits. When one does manage to get full time work the burnout level is 6 years because of the physical dememnds. If you dont have kids and can work at 4 places at once all on call, you may be able to string a living together. If you can have your own business and make money from other working for you it may be better. Though the place I take calls at the owner went back to work as an Engineer to pay the bills and others have to run her business on the things she cant afford to pay people for like laundry and cleaning.


I just wanted to add that I am not trying to be harsh. I have been in the business for many years. I was a bright eyed new therapist at one time too. In a much better economy. I have also taught massage. The one thing student have in common is an over inflated sense of how much money they are going to make and an under inflated sense of how hard it truly is physically over time or that it is a service job that you are making money off the sweat of your brow whether you are helping people or not.



Wow. I'm really sorry it was a bad career choice for you, but I have also been in "the business" in other aspects for many years, and I know many massage therapists who DO make a good living and who love their work....after ten years or more. My instructor left a finance career and is making a VERY good living, complete with full benefits from her employer, three years after her schooling. Oh, and she's 62 years old.

So, don't worry about bursting any bubbles, mine are completely intact and my eyes are just as dull as ever. Honey.


I was not trying to hurt you. I've kept quiet and supportive of your choice for months. I just want you yo now what youre getting into. If you are looking to create your own hours and be your own boss thats great. If you want stability financially knowing how much money you will make week to week and paying for your own insurance and such. Having paid vacation and sick day doesnt happen often. A entreuprenerial \is needed.

I have been in the feild for 17 years and am in physical pain from it. So worry for others and have spent much time showing therapists how to take care of themselves so they dont have to leave the business.

< Message edited by lusciouslips19 -- 3/1/2010 6:13:27 PM >

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/1/2010 6:47:16 PM   
Smutmonger


Posts: 995
Joined: 2/17/2010
Status: offline 		OP

Pell grants and benefits to go back to school and retrain are available. Look into them.

I am.

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Profile   Post #: 28
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 3:05:26 PM   
lusciouslips19


Posts: 9792
Joined: 9/8/2007
Status: offline 		Well I had 1 interveiw for a full time job at a spa today and I have 2 interviews tommorrow for a Leasing agent position.

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Keeper of Original Home Flag and Fire of Mr. Lance Hughes
Charter member of Lance's Fag Hags,
Member of the Subbie Mafia
Princess of typos and it's my prerogative

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Profile   Post #: 29
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 3:20:56 PM   
Aileen1968


Posts: 6062
Joined: 12/12/2007
From: I miss Shore, New Jersey
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19
So tell me...what changes you have made and how sucessful have you been in the current market? Your failures but really love to hear some triumphs.


I managed an art gallery for about 13 years and then quit to raise the kids. That was eleven years ago. I got divorced six months ago and realized that I was obsolete with my college degree, being out of the workforce for over ten years. One of the things I have always wanted to do, but never had the balls to do was to try and make a living as an artist. So, I started up my own photography business. Got a fantastic website up and running and then sat back and waited for them to bust down the doors. And waited. And waited. The phone never rang once. Credit card maxed. Savings account way below $1000 and I was scared shitless. I started scouring craigslist. It has turned out to be my primary job source. I fell in with a realtor who deals with foreclosures. He sends me an email list of addresses at night. I drive out the next morning and take certain pics of those addresses and upload,zip and send to him. I do it timely and professionally. As if I'm taking pics of his kids. So then he emails me and wants to know if I'd also like to take over data entry and bpo's for him since he likes how I have treated the mundane, low paying photo jobs he gives me. Steady income that pays more than taking pics for him. I say yes and now a whole other market I never even knew I could do can go on the resume along with opening the door to high end real estate photography. I make my own hours. I can do the data entry at four in the morning and I've never even met the guy. It couldn't be a better set up for me. I'm 100% available for my daughters and I'm finally able to say that for the first time in twenty years I am responsible for myself and paying my own bills. It is a fantastic feeling. Plus it leaves my days and weekends free and clear for any extra freelance photo work that comes in. Starting to sell stock images with Getty Images too.

*that was fucking wordy for me, but I'm at a happy place in my life*

< Message edited by Aileen1968 -- 3/2/2010 3:27:44 PM >

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 6:32:08 PM   
LadyAngelika


Posts: 8070
Joined: 7/4/2004
Status: offline
quote:

There are only three jobs in the world; marketing, operations management, support.


Where does analyst and strategist fit in? Where does the inventor, the engineer fit in?

I would think that the model includes much more.

- LA


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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 6:35:54 PM   
LadyAngelika


Posts: 8070
Joined: 7/4/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19

Well I had 1 interveiw for a full time job at a spa today and I have 2 interviews tommorrow for a Leasing agent position.


Crossing my fingers for you! I'm not sure how things are in the states, but there are places here where people can help with resume reviewing, networking, etc.

I for one do a lot of work helping people re-write their curriculum vitæ as well prep for interviews. I've done this within my friend circle as well as in a voluteer position helping women reintegrate in the work place.

Also, I am a seasoned networker and meet a lot of people in my field looking for career advice or making moves. If you look around in your field and/or area you might find people willing to help you.

- LA




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Profile   Post #: 32
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 6:41:33 PM   
TheHeretic


Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline 		I'm coming up on three years since I walked away from my whole prior work experience to do something new, different, and challenging every day.  Still loving the job. 

I say, step out boldly, and do it.

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 6:47:08 PM   
lusciouslips19


Posts: 9792
Joined: 9/8/2007
Status: offline 		So now might be the question. Do I take the work that will have a small base salary plus commissions on the massage which is very physically demanding because it will have a certain amount of security. Or the leasing agent thing which is 100% commission but something that excites me more? I am the type of person who can envision where the furniture should go. I also puruse apartment listings online even though I am not really looking. I have also managed a small building so I have done showings and I know how to market and apartment.
But leasing agent would be monetarily risky and maybe up and down according to the time of year. But people always need a place to live and they dont always need a massage.

So if I am offered both, I am going to be torn between the steady or the bigger potential?

Kudos to you Aileen. I am proud of what you have accomplished!

< Message edited by lusciouslips19 -- 3/2/2010 6:48:07 PM >

_____________________________

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Princess of typos and it's my prerogative

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Profile   Post #: 34
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 7:11:39 PM   
LadyAngelika


Posts: 8070
Joined: 7/4/2004
Status: offline
quote:


I say, step out boldly, and do it.


Yes and no. While I'm so happy this worked out for you, I've seen it backfire on so many highly intelligent and capable people.

I know of many who after having developed quite a bit of a reputation in one area decided to go back to school to reorient their career, when they came out, they had a lot of work experience, but not in their new field of focus. In some cases, they couldn't go back as they were over qualified.

I always err slightly on the side of caution and tell people that when they change fields, they really should leverage on what they've done. Starting from scratch*can* work, but it might also backfire.

- LA


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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 7:19:16 PM   
LadyAngelika


Posts: 8070
Joined: 7/4/2004
Status: offline
quote:

So if I am offered both, I am going to be torn between the steady or the bigger potential?


Only you can answer this. You are going to have to do an assessment of risks and benefits for each and weigh it out.

If you were thinking of taking the leasing agent job, some questions that come to mind are:
  • Can you afford to take some financial risks now?
  • What are the chances that you succeed if you venture into a new field?
  • What timeline do you need to give yourself and/or limit yourself to in order to determine if it's been successful?
  • Are their training programmes or mentors available to increase your chances of succeeding?
  • What is the competition like in this field?
  • What is the growth potential like in this field?
  • What changes will you have to make in your life? Do you have time to do all the necessary networking that it will take to make this career truly successful?
  • What are the performance criteria and expectations that your employer has set?
  • Will you have to find all your new clients or is their a business development team that does some client hunting for you?
  • How reputable is the firm that you would be working for? Are they well known in your area? What did their annual report look like last year? Were they profitable?
  • What does their average agent bring it? Not their best-- they will often try to sell you on their best.
There are more questions, but that's a good start.

- LA

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 7:58:47 PM   
lauren0221


Posts: 681
Joined: 8/29/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19

So now might be the question. Do I take the work that will have a small base salary plus commissions on the massage which is very physically demanding because it will have a certain amount of security. Or the leasing agent thing which is 100% commission but something that excites me more? I am the type of person who can envision where the furniture should go. I also puruse apartment listings online even though I am not really looking. I have also managed a small building so I have done showings and I know how to market and apartment.
But leasing agent would be monetarily risky and maybe up and down according to the time of year. But people always need a place to live and they dont always need a massage.

So if I am offered both, I am going to be torn between the steady or the bigger potential?


I think, Lushy your answer is in your question, you are EXCITED about being a leasing agent. Lots of people are leasing, even in slower times, and someone is helping them -  I think you would be great at it.

And to answer your original question - my background is in operations and management, and I am currently contracting at a bank as a legal assistant, and I like it a lot. My inner submissive is happy being of service, and it is an interesting, challenging area to be working in.

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Profile   Post #: 37
RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/2/2010 8:03:05 PM   
LadyEllen


Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006
From: Stourport-England
Status: offline 		can you not do both LL? It seems unreasonable, unless there is going to be a full schedule for you as a leasing agent, to expect you to spend all your time at the office if its commission only - could you not be a leasing agent when there are appointments to deal with and work those around doing the massage thing in a similar way for similar reasons?

or could you maybe become the masseuse leasing agent, soothing clients into lucrative deals?

E

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/3/2010 5:42:54 AM   
xxblushesxx


Posts: 9318
Joined: 11/3/2005
From: Kentucky
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: calamitysandra

Blushes, would you mind sharing what you are doing? It sounds quite good.


*raises an eyebrow*

Would you believe...

telephone dominatrix?...

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RE: How many here are changing professional direction? - 3/3/2010 12:11:15 PM   
calamitysandra


Posts: 1682
Joined: 3/17/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: xxblushesxx

quote:

ORIGINAL: calamitysandra

Blushes, would you mind sharing what you are doing? It sounds quite good.


*raises an eyebrow*

Would you believe...

telephone dominatrix?...



Of course, why not.

Sadly, I think those jobs pay miserable around here, otherwise it would be something to consider.

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Profile   Post #: 40
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