Being an ACM Allied Health student isn't easy but our instructors are here to help.
In your experience, what are the “superpowers” that make a great instructor stand
out? Being flexible. Because these past two years has been you need to be flexible. Because
only of the fact that COVID hit and we were off, we were out of the class, we were
online, and having contracted COVID and having to refocus my mind and how to function
through it. So, with the power team they have in massage is very phenomenal. It shows
you very different sides and very different areas in where you can go.
Has there been a moment in class or an interaction with an instructor or staff member
that stands out to you? Tell us about it. I would have to say the second week of the first semester- the fall semester, I took
a week off, I procrastinated a week. And then I decided to take a jump and do it because
me being miserable that whole week and then me finally deciding Hey I'm going to do
this, just kind of alleviated that stress and that depression I had. And that was
the best decision I ever had, ever came across in my own life that when you really
have a desire to do something, do it. Even if you do it afraid, just do it. Because
what's going to happen to you? You're going to fail? Then your going to pick yourself
up, you're going to do it again. You know failure is possible but its not something
you should focus on. Because it doesn't matter how old you are, you can come back
here, you can come back anywhere, you can do anything as longs as your mind and hearts
in it – that's where its at as long as your heart is into it – and if it's not then
you shouldn't do it.
What's been your superpower that's made you a great Allied Health student? Being able to say I need help. Being able to be like I don't have a clue of what I
am doing so help me to figure it out. Because when I came here I knew in a bubble
way what it was, what massage was. Until I got into the classes, and got into the
nitty gritty of the business side learning about business and learning what to do
and having boundaries, setting boundaries, which I knew in the back of my mind that
I had to set boundaries but to really get to the brass knuckles of it all, there's
more I need to learn. There definitely more. I'm not going to quit here I'm not
going to stop, I'm going to continue on learning because we have to have certain credit
hours so its just mind blowing to me that I made it this far.
What's your favorite piece of technology at school or work? Communication. You have to have communication. No matter what field you go into. Whether
its nursing, being a CNA, being a massage therapist, communication is a key part.
And the way you communicate is how good your going to be.
What 3 things do you like (or love, we'll always take love) about the courses in your
major? Only three things? I'll keep it short and sweet. I really liked how we put the body
together, how we connected all of it. Not just having a part, not just working on
a part, but actually like connecting the knee to the hip to the foot and make it a
one whole and not like a half. And it's just truly amazing to me how the body works
and how it functions, and how everything you do matters. Even the slightest gentle
touch can help somebody and I just think that's amazing.
What experience (or class) at ACM surprised you the most? The hospital internship – It opened up my eyes to so many directions I can go with
massage, it brought me back down to being humble, being kind, being gentle, and focusing
on the other individual that has cancer or who is going through a rough time. That
has really brought me down to reality. Back down to being me again. Having that kind
heart, being able to listen to somebody when they are on my table and I'm giving them
a massage. Letting the quiet time be a little bit noisy. It's okay to do that. It's
okay to be with that individual and to actually hear what they are saying. I actually
now understand about hearing and understand what people are actually talking about.
With the hospital internship, anybody who does a one-year program here, they are
missing out on year two because that's where the hospital internship is, year two.
Year two kind of like brings everything together, kind of solidifies a good foundation
for you to go out and do whatever. Not just at a spa but at a hospital or a nursing
home, anyplace where a person needs gentle touch.
What are your plans after graduation? Since I am going to stay for another year to get my gen. eds. done, think I'm going
to gel with it for a little bit. I might go to PA for a little bit, and maybe do a
spa, get on the ground floor of something amazing, and learn about it. Learn about
the business end of it all then that way when and if I decide to go into my own business
then I will know how to handle myself and how to budget and I know I won't know all
the intricate details but I'll be able to go “Okay I remember”.
