If you were already an MT, I'd say work when you can. However, for the time and cost it's going to take to become an MT (roughly taking 6 months and about $10,000), not to mention it's going to put you behind another semester, it's going to take you quite a bit of time to recuperate that cost. If you continue to finish up your undergraduate and PT school full time, that leaves you little time to work as an MT. Let's also consider that the economy for MTs is quite poor right now. Discretionary income is the first to go in a recession. If you were lucky, you might be able to get about 10 clients a week if you are only available on evenings and weekends (and may be more than what you can do after being in class all day and needing to do homework). So let's say, roughly $150-300 a week take home. It's going to take you about a year to even make up the cost of going to MT school. Then, you are also going to have to make up a semester of school that you missed...which could be another $5-10,000. Then when you actually get IN to PT school, your life changes again and you have almost NO time to work. So by the time you are actually at a point where you could profit on your MT degree, you won't have much time for work anyway.

Besides, massage has relatively little to do with PT these days anyway...it's a tool we use on occsion, but that's it. Being an MT will in most cases not have any influence on your ability to get a PT job...

Good idea. Great source of part-time income as you are finishing school and even can be used in your new field. The longer your resume, the better your chances!

Good luck!

I say anythings possible, if its not too costly and time consuming- then go for it!! If not then I would honestly suck it up for the next year or find something else to work in tht youll like more.

beware though I heard your hands hurt after a while from the diff. techniques =\

best of luck!!!

To be honest, based on what you said about your schedule i do not see how you would have time. I went to school for 2 years, full time, and was constantly busy. Some people dont realize how much bookwork (not to mention outside massages you have to do for homework) is involved in our schooling. I was in class/labs from 8am until 7pm every weekday, with an hour here and there to eat/study. Also, you're body will just be getting used to giving massages and you will be very tired. After school and after you get a little experience this probably wouldnt be the same case, but since you are just starting it will be exhausting. Again, that is JUST the massage therapy training..now imagine adding your work and physical therapy classes.

In most states you have to have at least* 500 hours of hands on training, so by the time you were done you would be done with your PT degree anyway. Then, if you somehow pushed through the schooling for massage therapy...it takes a while to build up clientle.

I suggest you just look for a job that makes you happier-or at least happy enough until you finish school. Good luck with everything!

It MIGHT be a good idea, depending on how long it takes to become a massage therapist in your state. The national average is around 600 hours which takes 8 months, but the requirements vary from no education to 1,500 hours. A few junior colleges offer AS programs but most programs are trade school, not college level. You'll have to check with your state (link below).

You may be able to transfer a lot of your college coursework to a massage program. Check with all the massage schools you can. One school may be greedy and not allow transfer credits, another may allow it.

I might do it if I could finish in 6 months for $5,000 or less. If it took longer or cost more it's probably not worth it. I was able to transfer all of my A&P and business classes and pretty much slept through 4 months of massage school for about $2,500. My state only requires 500 hours of trade school. But that was a few years ago and prices have gone up.

Then it would be easy for you to find work with a physical therapy clinic. You would not only gain valuable experience but have solid references when you graduate. And like you said, it would help pay for PT school.

EDIT: Mystify has some good points. However, massage is doing very well in this economy. Last October I sold my 6-therapist clinic and they have increased business 7% since I left. I did 20 massages a week and was booked for months in advance. My employees made $45,000 after expenses and I made six figures. People are stressed right now and need massage.