New Grad Perspectives: Waiting For My License

Hi there! My name is Meg Runyan. I'm a recent graduate of the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy and am pursing my massage therapy license in IL. I'm trained in western massage techniques, deep tissue work, Reiki, Lomi Lomi, and Thai massage - I also have a Bachelor of Science in biology. I'm excited for my new career of of helping people find relief from pain and reconnection with their bodies and I invite you to join me. Over the next several months I will be documenting my journey on the ClinicSense blog. I hope that my this will offer the opportunity to other new grads to learn from me by writing about what I think I did right (and what I think I did wrong).

Graduated from massage therapy school. Check. MBLEx taken (and passed!). Check. Sent in application and paperwork to the state. Check. Now what?

Perhaps you are in the same place as me. You have dutifully filled out all the paperwork to start your new career as a massage therapist. But now we have to wait for the state to approve our application. Or maybe you are a different kind of holding pattern. We have all had this experience of waiting, of being in limbo.

I can feel pretty helpless when I am limbo. It feels like there is nothing I can do. I am stuck waiting. It can be a frustrating, worrisome, aggravating, uncomfortable, and an in between place. I have finished school, but I can’t start on my new career just yet. As of this writing, I am one month into an estimated three month wait for my license. That’s a lot of time. What do I do with all this time?

Well, after drifting a bit in uncertainty, I’ve decided to make the most of my in between time. Instead of getting angry that I have to wait, I’ve decided to view this time as an independent study. In fact, I am going to focus on three different topics: business planning, continuing education, and play.

Business class was difficult for me in school. I knew it was important, but it was so hard to write my ideas down. Now, I am making myself revisit those assignments, clarifying my goals, making a budget, putting together marketing materials and even practicing my elevator speech. I am going to interviews and introducing myself to others in my community. At times these activities feel like pulling teeth. But whether I am an employee or entrepreneur, getting comfortable talking about my passion and career is key.

True confession, I’m a nerd. I love learning. Massage therapy school went by in a whirlwind. I loved it, was fascinated by it, and I knew there was no way I could soak it all in. So I am continuing my education by reviewing muscles (where exactly does pectoralis minor attach?), watching videos of class demos, and using friends to practice on. I recently bought a book on trigger points. I am even keeping a journal of my experience while I am working on my own trigger points.

Play and self care became vital ideas to me even before I started massage therapy school. If I am to care for others, I need to take care of myself as well. So I am taking this time to pay attention to the things that make me feel healthy, alive, and vibrant. I am creating space for them in my life now so that I will continue to create space once my career as a licensed massage therapist begins.

I am so excited to get my massage therapy license. I can’t wait. But on the other hand, there is so much to do to get ready!