Why did you choose your major? I chose massage therapy because I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life through
the power of touch. To me, massage therapy is like a puzzle. When you put all the
puzzle pieces together and complete it, it’s very rewarding to me and my clients.
What advice would you give to students interested in your career path? Massage therapy has an abundance of modalities that you can specialize in. That’s
the beauty about this career because you are not limited to one thing!
What was your overall experience at ACM? I was truly nervous about starting college later in life. However, ACM made me feel
right at home. The professors are phenomenal and they take time to help you succeed.
I would recommend ACM to anyone! Such a great community college!
Who was your favorite ACM Faculty/Staff member? Why? This is a very hard topic for me because I had more than one favorite staff member
at ACM. My all time favorite would be the massage therapy department. The staff in
that department were not only my teachers, but my family. They were always there pushing
me to be the best I could be and always went that extra mile when I needed a support
system.
What is your greatest achievement in your career? My greatest achievement is becoming an independent contractor for an amazing company,
“Bruceton Wellness Center” located in Bruceton Mills, WV. From this, I’ve became well
known in the area for my modalities, such as Rapid Neurofascial Reset. I’m also thankful
for the clientele that I have!
Additional Comments: Just remember, it’s never too late to better yourself. Education is the key to a happy,
successful life. Always follow your dreams!
At a Glance
Name: Samantha Davis Position: Massage Therapist Year: 2014 Employer: Omni Bedford Springs Resort Major: Massage Therapy
Q & A
Why did you choose your major? My younger sister was diagnosed with Rett syndrome which is a rare genetic mutation
disorder that affects the brain. I always wanted to work with people, but I wanted
to do something different in the health field. I did some research and I saw different
alternative therapies, one of which was Massage Therapy and I just went with it!
What advice would you give to students interested in your career path? I would practice first on family/friends to see if you enjoy and feel comfortable
with massage.
Also, It’s definitely a physical job so make sure you’re taking care of yourself first.
With any heath field we tend to forget about ourselves.
What was your overall experience at ACM? My overall experience at ACM was great. My massage classes were small, which I loved
because I felt I got that one on one attention that gave me the guidance I needed
to become a successful massage therapist.
Who was your favorite ACM Faculty/Staff member? Why? Kirsten Hansen hands down!
Kirsten always made a stressful situation enjoyable! Medical massage was one of my
favorite classes and I still use her techniques into my sessions to this day!
What is your greatest achievement in your career? This is going to sound cheesy, but for my guest at Bedford Springs Resort to have
a great experience with me! Communication is key for massage!
At a Glance
Name: Aaron McDonald Major: Massage Therapy Class of: 2020 Employer: Massage Therapist at Omni Bedford Springs Resort
Q & A
Why did you choose your major? I knew that I wanted to do something that could help people, and massage therapy looked
like a great way to do that!
What advice would you give to students interested in your career path? Don’t wait. Massage therapy is growing quickly and it offers so much diversity in
all of the different directions you can take your career.
What was your overall experience at ACM? It was amazing! Everybody was so kind and helpful from my first day walking into the
Everett campus to the day I graduated from the main campus. They really seemed to
take an interest in the future of the individual.
Who was your favorite ACM Faculty/Staff member? Why? That’s impossible to choose! All of my teachers were so unique in so many different
ways. They each had such a passion for what they were teaching that it made it exciting
to keep coming back and learning more!
What is your greatest achievement in your career? I would have to say that my greatest achievement so far is the progress I’ve made
with one client in particular. I’ve seen such drastic changes through our sessions
together that it’s really eye-opening to see the impact that regular massage can have
on a person.
Additional Comments: I would really like to point out once again how kind the faculty and staff were to
me. I was amazed how quickly they learned my name, my major, my future goals, and
really seemed to take an interest in seeing me succeed. They all showed such great
support and it was truly a blessing.
