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I've finally taken the first wobbly, baby steps toward a new career and better future, which was my 2004 new year's resolution.
First of all, I'm helping to coach a high school rowing team. So far, I've only had one session with the kids, thanks to the two hurricanes that have washed out nearly two weeks' worth of practices. Tomorrow will be my second day. Why am I doing this, considering I've never had an interest in teaching or working with kids? Well, the coaching experience could perhaps lead to either a full-time or part-time job as a coach at an area club or high school. There always has been a shortage of rowing coaches -- most people would rather just row themselves -- so I don't think I'd have too much difficulty finding a job as a coach, assuming I had some experience for the resume. This assistant coaching gig, plus a few USRowing clinics under my belt, would be enough. I know the head coach well, and he nearly begged me for my time. Plus, it keeps me around something I love, considering I'm about to quit rowing for year, which leads me to my next subject...
I've also enrolled in school. Massage therapy school. I start at the end of this month, and the program is approximately a year long. I'll take day classes while continuing to work at night. That's why I'll have to give up rowing for a while. I've rowed three days a week for five years, and I dread giving up something I love so much. But I need time to study (and sleep).
As for massage: I've had many months to evaluate the things I enjoy in life, and what I could take from those and turn into a rewarding career. I enjoy working out, I enjoy listening to others, I enjoy learning, I enjoy science, I enjoy biology, I enjoy relaxing. I'm also a mellow person by nature. Massage -- specifically, sports massage, which is what I'll concentrate on -- just seems a good fit for me. All of that, combined with my desire to get out of my current career as soon as possible and be my own boss one day, is what's behind this. (Bashing my current job would easily become my longest post to date, but I really don't want to dwell on the negative.) My hope is to open up my own sports massage practice at some point. Or perhaps I can hook up with a local sports team. That may be many years down the road, but at least I'm now on that road, instead of riding around and around a cul-de-sac. The best thing about school is, I have no hesitations or reservations about it, the student loans I've just taken out or my career about-face. I had the usual fear-of-the-unknown butterflies during my school entrance interviews, but I haven't and do not question what I'm about to do. It just feels right.
Current mood: Anxious
Replies: 1 shoutout
Wow! Congratulations! We're all rooting for you.
Idea for your business card:
"Try a massage ... it's better for your back than OxyContin!"
Posted by ufscoops @ 09/13/2004 11:45 PM EST