Awakening interest in self-care, led by baby boomers and embodied by younger generations, has fired demand for massage services. High School and college grads have been quick to grasp the opportunity. Scores of students enter Florida massage schools each year, and leave licensed and primed for an intriguing variety of well-paying jobs with flexible hours and immense independence.

At Keiser College in Melbourne their Student Services Department works with students and graduates to place them with employers. They also help them with resume writing and general interviewing techniques. The average state university places only 25 percent of its graduates right out of school, while Space Coast Health Institute currently has a placement rate of 91%. “The massage therapy industry is growing. There is a high demand for therapists everywhere,” says Kelly Manning of Space Coast Health Institute in Melbourne. “Now that more and more insurance companies are beginning to recognize massage as alternative healthcare, there are more and more people taking advantage of its benefits.”

Chiropractors, spas, health clinics, medical doctors, hospitals, massage schools, and massage and physical therapy businesses all employ massage therapists. As do hotels, cruise lines and sports teams. Once therapists have a few hundred “bodies under their belt,” many choose to become entrepreneurs. Some still make house calls.

Student Profile
Prospective students can tour local facilities, sit in on a class, or even spend some time with school massage therapists when trying to decide on this particular career choice. Students are encouraged to be completely informed and educated on the field of massage therapy before making a choice.

Keiser College works on a modular system so students are able to start each month of the year. At Space Coast Health Institute classes begin on 6-month intervals. Class sizes can vary from 18-40 students. Completion of the program varies depending on the school of choice with full time students taking 6 or 18 months and part-time 12 or 28 months.

"I needed a career that could work around my schedule and my 2 teenage daughters. Massage gives me the flexibility to fit my needs and earn extra income," says Angela Smith, a graduate of Space Coast Health Institute. Students come from many walks of life. Past occupations include nurses, chiropractors, physical therapists, emergency medical technicians, and teachers, wait staff, retail clerks, nail technicians, construction workers and firemen. Retirees, too, and women of all ages who find themselves suddenly single, see the advantage of learning a flexible field in a few short months – one that can provide occupation for a lifetime. Twenty continuing education credits every two years keep a massage license current.

Area students are from all different parts of the state as well as from other states. Florida was the first state to license massage therapists, in 1941, with oversight by the Florida Department of Health. And it’s remained a Mecca for massage students ever since.

Real World Know-How
Ninety percent of people ages 20-80 living in Florida in 2001 had never had a professional massage according to a survey by the Bonita Springs Career School. So the market is far from saturated. “Standard income for a massage therapist varies due to the diversity of career paths. The amount of training and experience a therapist has will weigh on the amount of income they’re paid,” explains Manning.

Keiser College stresses standards for success. “We have an entire course called Legal and Ethical Business Practices. Not only does that course cover the requirements of the Florida Massage Practice Act, it also teaches the prevention of medical errors and a review of the ethical standards of conduct,” says JoAnne Tornatore.

Area schools offer student massages to the public for $20-$25 per hour. In addition to providing an enjoyable service to the public, this allows students to enhance their education by working with the public on a daily basis and even build up a stream of clientele that may seek their services upon graduation. (By law, only schools can accept income from these massage services, and there is no tipping.) Students find satisfaction in making connections with clients. Nurturers by nature, these men and women are driven less by money and more by empathy, the need to help others stay fit, healthy and looking good.

“A person who is looking to make a difference in someone’s life is someone who holds the key to being a massage therapist,” observes Manning. “Caring, warm, dedicated are all great qualities that any healthcare professional should have, but the ability of a massage therapist to affect another person’s being through the art of touch is truly a gift.”

In addition to technical skills and knowledge students need solid business sense. “Dedication is key and marketing, marketing, marketing – the more work graduates put into getting their name out there, the more results they’ll see,” states Manning. Many massage therapists find that after completing the program, they would like to specialize in a certain field. Options in therapeutic massage range from neuromuscular rehab to prenatal and infant care, from chair massage for office workers to geriatric clinics, and from equine to sports massage. And that’s just for starters. The student of tomorrow may hold multiple licenses, speak two or more languages, cross-sell products, up-sell services, and bring in new clients the first day on the job.