healthAudaciously So: health

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Licensed Acupuncturist

Norah M.

"In the state of California, a Licensed Acupuncturist actually does more than just acupuncture. I am a practitioner of Chinese medicine, which means I use acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, tai chi and other types of meditation, and bodywork to help people heal from a variety of health challenges and conditions."

Education

Required License(s)

I am licensed by both California and the national organization (NCCAOM).

Required Degree(s)

Master's degree

Importance of GPA

somewhat important

What do you need to do to maintain your license(s)?

A certain number of hours are required in continuing education, and you have to pay a fee every two years for renewal.

Norah's Highest Degree: Master's degree
Norah's College Major: Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine
Norah's College GPA: 3.6-3.9

Salary

$30,000-$150,000
(Depends on the setting and your business)

Getting the Job

How did you get your job?

I am in private practice, i.e., self-employed. Before having this office, I trained with more experienced practitioners for about 9 years in a clinic where I worked with others.

How important was networking to landing your position?

Hugely important

Life on the Job

What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

It is a mix of working with patients, paperwork, correspondence, writing (blogs, articles) and networking. There is quite of bit of business work in addition to seeing patients.

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

Fairly closely

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

I'm not sure. Women are well represented statistically in the acupuncture field.

What is the best thing about your job?

Getting to help people with natural, safe methods and watching people discover resources they did not realize they had.

What is the worst thing about your job?

It can be difficult and demanding to be in business for yourself.

How demanding is your job?

Practicing East Asian medicine is a lifetime study. You have to combine this with the tenacity required to succeed as a small business. You have to be committed.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

One can always pursue additional training. This is an ongoing process, and can open opportunities to teach or practice in a different settings and with different patient populations.

Advice for You

What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

Sincerity, perseverance, and commitment.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

Study how to be effective in business and marketing, as well as the medicine.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

Yes!

Follow Up

Want to learn more?

Check out Norah's
site here.

Want to read later?

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Monday, June 20, 2016

Online Fitness & Nutrition Coach

Julia

"As an online coach, I work with women all over the world to help reach their fitness goals, to help them learn how to eat for a healthy, lean, happy body, and I give them strategies to implement for the rest of their lives."

Education

Required License(s)

You need to have at least basic certifications in CPR, Personal Training, and Nutrition.

Required Degree(s)

None

Importance of GPA

not very important

What do you need to do to maintain your license(s)?

You must take Continuing Education Classes or re-certify every 2 years

Julia's Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree
(Note: I am also a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist.)
Julia's College GPA Range: 3.1-3.5

Salary

Not consistent across the board.

(You get out what you put in.)

Getting the Job

How did you get your job?

A mix of obtaining the proper certification, prior fitness studio experience, and personal experience.

How important was networking to landing your position?

I am my own boss, so to get (i.e., make) my position, it wasn't important. But it is hugely important to build my business!

Life on the Job

What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

A typical day for me is exercise, answer client e-mails, respond to social media, create client programs, write for my site, and create healthy recipes for clients and readers.

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

I'm not sure a general job description exists for what I do! But I imagine most online trainers have similar experiences.

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

I believe it helps me relate to my female clients. I know the struggle that it is to have constant pressure to look good, to have a family and a job, and be this super woman. It's tough! And I want to create programs for busy woman who want to be healthy because they want to feel great about themselves, and let go of that undue pressure.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is the excitement and enthusiasm my client's get when they see results.

What is the worst thing about your job?

The worst thing is the uncertainty of where another client will come from.

How demanding is your job?

My job is both physically and mentally tough. Physically, I train clients as well as myself. Therefore I have to put energy and effort into actual physical activity... practice what you preach! Mentally, my job is tough because I create programs from scratch for my clients and I feel vested in their success.