I need to make a decision and would love some opinions.

[txluciouslips]

I have a huge dilemma and it's really stressing me out.

I am currently working at a great place. I am sub-contracted, and commission paid with no monthly rent, just the commission perceneforum.xxxe. I am paid quite well - 75% commission. If I don't have a client, I am not at work. I am able to pick my own hours, take days off whenever I'd like - it's completely flexible and that's a huge reason I got into massage in the first place. I am not a 9-5 desk job, routine type person. I need freedom, and I work best when I am in control for the most part. It's what keeps me happy and stress free. The therapist who owns the business has repetitively told me she's super happy with me and she thinks I am doing great.

However - I have 1100 hours of schooling, and I am pre-registered for September to take my second and final year, in advanced therapeutic massage. Problem is, I have to do a certain number of practicum hours, through my work-place to complete the course. If things go as slowly as they are now at work - I won't be able to complete my practicum, therefore I'll be unable to complete school.

I have the luxury of being able to get by with out making much money, and being able to take my time building up my clientele. The clientele I get at this particular business is all mine, and will always be mine for as long as I am working on my own. It's a great opportunity for the long term - something I'd hate to give up.

However - if I want to go to school and improve my skills, I'll need to go somewhere else, such as a spa or salon where the clientele is not mine, and I'll lose a lot of the freedom and flexibility that I enjoy so much. I'll be busier, but pay will be much less - and when I leave, I leave alone - no clients will come with me.

I have a few options:

-Stay where I am at and put my last year off until September of 2010 - and will hopefully then have the clientele built up to complete my requirements.
-Stay where I am, go to school - and hope I magically build up enough of a client base to complete my requirements. Which I am 99% sure won't happen in the time frame needed.
-Leave where I am working, go to a spa or salon to complete school. Then go out on my own and start all over again.

I'd love to stay where I am and put school off - however I feel having more advanced skills would probably help me build my client base faster.

I do have one more possible option which would be to stay where I am at, and talk about it all with my instructors and see if we can't come up with something else to help me do my practicum - such as working as a student at the clinic they own, or doing 'practice' work on family and friends out of my house when I'm not scheduled to be available for work. Or something else so I can keep this opportunity and still get my schooling done.

I am super stressed about this - and would love to hear others thoughts on the matter.

 

[Miistaa Bashmentt]

I need to make a decision and would love some opions.

I do have one more possible option which would be to stay where I am at, and talk about it all with my instructors and see if we can't come up with something else to help me do my practicum - such as working as a student at the clinic they own, or doing 'practice' work on family and friends out of my house when I'm not scheduled to be available for work. Or something else so I can keep this opportunity and still get my schooling done.

This one seems to make the most sense to me. Either that, or stay where you are and get a part-time job somewhere else for the duration of your schooling. Maybe just one or two days per week? Is it an option for you to stay where you are AND go to school AND have that second part-time gig?

 

[Pompal 09.]

I need to make a decision and would love some opions.

This one seems to make the most sense to me. Either that, or stay where you are and get a part-time job somewhere else for the duration of your schooling. Maybe just one or two days per week? Is it an option for you to stay where you are AND go to school AND have that second part-time gig?

I would be able to manage all three possibly. Our courses aren't full time, it's mostly self directed with on-site training. The only issue I could see there, is finding another place to work at. Most places here won't allow you to work two massage jobs. And the places that do - are the same sort of situation I am in now. There would be no point on cutting down my availability where I am at, to go somewhere else that will be just as slow and probably not offer any more work than I am getting now. Plus I am not sure any one would take me on if they even suspected I would only be there for the duration of my schooling.

It is something I would do though, if I can. My instructors may know of somewhere that would be able to give me lots of hours, and be OK with me working elsewhere.

The only problem with waiting until school starts to figure this out - is if there are no other options. Then I am in a rush to find a new job, and have to leave my current work-place high and dry. And then just hope where ever I get hired actually does keep me busy enough to do my practicum.

I could always if it comes down to putting school off - take a bunch of CEU's in that year, to keep increasing my skills aside from my actual schooling. But I may have a hard time finding courses that don't interfere with my school dates. But I'm sure I could atleast find a few.

I don't know - I should probably call the school and speak to my instructor and see what they have to say and then go from there.

 

[starrchylde_117]

I need to make a decision and would love some opinions.

It sounds like there is no guarantee that another job would give you the necessary hours, anyway, so leaving what you love for what you don't love and don't intend to keep doing for the long run, in *hopes* of getting enough hours could be leaving both you and your current place of business in a bad spot.

It is a shame that so many places do not allow you to work elsewhere doing massage. I never did understand how a workplace could legally dictate how an employee spends their off-scheduled time. Personally, I don't know how an employer would have any right to know where I was or what I was doing when I was not scheduled to be in their business, as long as it didn't affect my performance. (Such as going in drunk - they'd obviously have a right to not allow me to drink before work, etc.) I understand it happens a lot, though.

How many practicum hours do you have to have in that year? I would think the student clinic would be a great option for gaining hours. I'd think it would have to be an option for you as a current student.

I hope it works out - let us know!

 

[Kyle S]

I need to make a decision and would love some opinions.

I think I'd bring the situation to the instructors/director and see what they have to say. Completing your schooling shouldn't really "stop" the rest of your life. I betcha someone will come up with some ideas for ya.

 

[heny]

I need to make a decision and would love some opinions.

Take your situation to the school faculty and see what solutions they may be able to help you devise. Complete your schooling, but keep the job you love as long as you can - it sounds like a great situation.

 

[nik_oops]

I need to make a decision and would love some opinions.

I'm another one saying talk to the school, you can't be the only student in this position.

It might also be worth considering volunteer work. SInce you're already working, does it mean you've got all you insurance which can make volunteer work much less complicated. AFter my first pregnancy massage course they had a valunteer program for prenatal and postnatal massage (mainly postnatal) at a couple of hospitals - that was invaluable for me.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I need to make a decision and would love some opions.

I agree with palpable, and the idea of taking it to your instructors. You may also just want to check around town and explain your delimma to some of the spas around. You may be pleasantly surprised to find a spa who doesn't want someone full time and doesn't mind if they are there for a limited time. It could happen... maybe someone is out on maternity leave or something, and you fit their bill.

If it doesn't work out that way, you can be truthful with the spa and let them know that you may be back in a few months asking for a full job with them, if you have to quit your current position due to schooling requirements. I am sure you'll have some people who will balk, but others who will appreciate your honesty.

 

[bobjohnson]

I need to make a decision and would love some opinions.

i worked at a massage envy one night a week, it was of assistance to their scheduling and fit with mine.

my first routes would be what has already been mentioned. talk to the school, particularly in terms of student clinic and volunteer work fulfilling your practicum req's. and in the long run, volunteer work looks great on CV's and you never know what kind of networking results from it!

keep us posted!