4 year college or 2 year college??

Question

My friend wants to go into massage therapy and she thinks that it does no really make a difference whether you go to a 4 year college or 2 year college meaning that if 2 candidates walk in for a possible job with the same expertise but the other went to a 4 year college and she went to a 2 year college it would not make a difference...this isnt true is it?? I mean obviously if they were both identical the person who went to 4 year college would get it (assuming gpa, job experiance etc...were identical)...do you think or in your own experiance do people get better pay/better job once graduation if they attended a 4 or 2 year college? please answer, thanks!

Answer 1

"Vocational" education like massage always takes less time than traditional college and it doesn't matter weather she goes for 2 years or 4 unless she wants to become a RPT (Registered Physical Therapist)...that's a 4 year program.  Massage can be typically learned in 6 months.  Personally, I don't think it's easy to make a living doing massage...there's tons of competition and additionally, it's LUXURY service not a necessicity service so I'd tend to advise that she reconsider and do something else.  PEACE & GOOD LUCK TO BOTH OF YOU!

Answer 2

Since there likely isn't a bachelor's degree in massage therapy, you'd be looking at an applicant with a degree unrelated to the work required.

If we're talking about a job as a massage therapist (that doesn't require other duties such as business management); then the degrees won't matter at all.  The hire decision will be based on other issues.  Experience is likely to be the most important consideration and a state license in those states that require licensing.

This is one of those fields that would likely hire the person that is a better masseuse over the one with the higher degree.  In this example, your friend is correct.  She's missing something though.

If that job needs business administration skills or requires supervision of others, then the bachelor's degree will be a significant advantage.  What your friend is missing is "what about 3 years or 5 years from now?"  Does she want to still be earning the same amount in the same position?  Surely she'd like to advance to management one day.  This is when she'll wish she had gone ahead for the bachelor's degree.