Charity Stewart

In the months prior to graduation, Charity Stewart, an August 2002 graduate of the Arizona School of Massage Therapy’s Tempe campus, was not sure what she wanted to do or where she wanted to go after the completion of her program. Although she felt like she needed to go to Hawaii, she was hesitant to pack up and leave everything without a job secured prior to departure. About eight weeks prior to graduation, she started seeking help from Career Services.

Charity came into Career Services and asked for a list of employers on the big island of Hawaii. With a list of chiropractors and resorts in hand, she started at the top of the list and worked her way, asking employers if they were hiring. Charity also had licensing issues to deal with, as the date for the Hawaii state test wasn’t at the most convenient time for her. Housing was proving to be a challenge, as well as transportation. Even with many obstacles in the way, Charity still felt like she needed to head across the ocean to begin her career as a professional massage therapist.

After graduation, Charity packed up and flew to Hawaii. She initially stayed with some friends of a friend, but soon found a place to live. The first chiropractor on her list hired her immediately and the first resort she contacted hired her as well. Soon Charity found herself working six days a week and giving at least six, hour-long massages a day, even in the chiropractor’s office. Although Charity thought she was meant to go to Hawaii to continue her education at one of the private colleges, she soon discovered the real reason she was there was for the experience as a therapist. After three months, Charity packed up her things and headed back to Arizona a far more confident therapist.

Once back in Arizona, Charity enrolled at Arizona State University to continue her education in Exercise Science. She contacted the chiropractor she had worked with prior to leaving and he offered Charity her old job back. Confident in herself and proud of the adventure she had taken, Charity is now continuing to learn and grow in the massage therapy field with a terrific experience behind her.