Career Insights: A Health & Physical Education Professional Interview

Question
Dear Michael,   
I am a grade 12 student from Windsor, ON, Canada. I am seeking some of your valuable time to answer some questions I have on their careers and it's applications to the study of Health and Physical Education. I would immensely appreciate it if anyone could transfer the following questions to an expert.

1.   How would you describe your profession?
2.   What program did you graduate University or College from?
o   How many years did it take to complete?
o   What were some of the undergrad courses that were related to Physical Education?
o   Were pre-requisite courses in high school a big help in certain areas of your study?
3.   Would a background in Physical and Health Education help in your career? How?
4.   What do you believe is the most important component of Physical and Health Education in your area of expertise; i.e. biomechanics, anatomy, etc.?
5.   What is the most demanding aspect of your profession?
6.   What characteristics do you feel must be present in those who wish to pursue your career?
7.   How important is communication and people-skills in respect to the profession?


Thank you very much for finding time to answer my questions.
Sincerely yours,
Sirat Aman


Answer
Hello Sirat,

Normally I do not answer what appear to be homework questions, but yours seem to be simple enough to be answered simply.

1) Massage therapy is a very enjoyable hands-on profession which, in most instances, allows a practitioner the luxury of ending their day and going home with very few work problems.
2) I did not graduate from a University or College for massage.  I graduated from private, independent massage schools in CA (100 hrs) and IN (800+ hrs).
oTaking less than 1 year combined.
o None - Physical Education in US may be different from that taught in Canada.
o Not for me as I graduated from High School 19yrs before I first went to massage school.
3) Yes, specifically anatomy and physiology for understanding how the body works and where bones, muscles, organs and glands are located.
4) Anatomy and Physiology
5) the physical work.
6) excellent health and desire to help people stay healthy.
7) All important...without communication and people-skills, a massage therapist will not succeed.

Hope that helps you.
Michael, LMT