Recently, US News & World Report listed their top 50 careers for 2011, and we were pleasantly surprised to see that 3 out of the 5 programs that we offer were mentioned. Here are a few highlights from the article:
‘Personal / Athletic Trainers – The Rundown: As student-athletes train harder and compete younger, schools need more athletic trainers to keep them healthy. Athletic trainers help prevent and treat injuries, specifically muscle and bone injuries, not only for young athletes, but also for professional athletes and industrial workers. Athletic trainers guide the injured through recovery and aim to reduce future injury through exercises, therapy programs, and proper use of equipment. But don’t make the mistake of confusing athletic trainers with fitness trainers or personal trainers, who help people become physically fit.
Outlook: Athletic trainers are increasingly in demand, particularly at high schools, while competition is stiffer for positions with professional and college sports teams. The number of jobs held is expected to climb 37 percent by 2018, far greater than the average increase for all professions, according to the Labor Department. Job seekers have the best chances of finding work where new positions are being created-in fitness centers, hospitals, and schools.
Massage Therapy – The Rundown: Massage therapists use touch to treat injuries, sooth tired or overworked muscles, reduce stress, and promote general health. Treatment comes in many varieties, including Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, reflexology, and sports massage, and most therapists specialize in one or more.
Outlook: As massage therapy becomes more popular, employment is expected to grow faster than average (19 percent) between 2008 and 2018, with more spas and massage clinic franchises popping up to meet increased demand for massage services. Massage therapists held about 122,400 jobs in 2008, and more than half were self-employed. Many more practice massage therapy as a secondary source of income.
Stress Level: Low. The environments where massage therapists work are designed to sooth, with low lighting, candles, and calming music.’
Go to the US News & World Report Article
The article went on to offer advice from industry people regarding landing a job as a massage therapist, and overwhelmingly, when talking about learning how to become a massage therapist, be it in New York, New Jersey, or any other state in the country, they said to ‘go to a quality school, one that is preferably accredited by an organization such as COMTA, and that you can find one at the American Massage Therapy Association’s (AMTA) website.
It was also suggested that you think about what type of massage you’d like to specialize in and in which work environment, be it a spa, hospital, or sports center, for example, and then find a massage therapist near you and ask questions about the job.
