Student debt can be staggering, but at Burke Williams Academy of Massage Therapy you’re more than a student – you’re part of a community and welcomed as an employee from day one. Aspiring therapists have the opportunity to earn a paycheck while in the classroom, and once certified begin a job at Burke Williams. Cyndra Lopez has more than twenty years of experience as a massage therapist, and has been working as the Southern California Regional Trainer since 1998. Cyndra took time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Burke Williams Academy, and shared what keeps her motivated and inspired as an instructor.
How do you apply for the Academy and what happens once you’re accepted?
An application into the Academy is a simultaneous application into Burke Williams. Once you’re accepted you’ll train with our instructors who are also some the company’s top therapists, and earn minimum wage while you’re in the classroom. Once you’ve become CAMTC certified you’ll have a job waiting for you, and after two years with the company your tuition is considered paid in full.
What do you learn at the Academy?
During your 500 hours of training you’ll be educated on Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology, along with Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Prenatal massage. Training also includes Business and Ethics, Spa Essentials, and Contraindications and Pathology. In short, we’re equipping with you with all the tools and information you’ll need to be a skilled, successful therapist. However, we also help students learn how to understand their clients and how to dial into their unspoken needs.
What made you decide to become a massage therapist and ultimately an instructor at the Academy?
When I started in massage therapy, I wanted to give people a gift and potentially change their day. If someone’s feeling really stressed out and like there’s just too much pressure on them, you can help them find balance and healing. If you can turn someone’s day around and make them happy, then they can turn someone’s else’s day around and keep spreading the positive energy. Helping the spread of that positive energy is why I became an instructor. We want to give this ability to our students as well, and all of the instructors here are really proud to be a part of the Academy.
What are the benefits of graduating from the Academy versus another massage therapy training facility?
When people leave here they have a job waiting for them, everything’s set up. It’s kind of a no-brainer. If you go to another school it’s a drawn out process and there’s no guarantee you’re gong to leave with what you need. The level of commitment is different at the Academy. We’re truly invested in each and every one of our students. We want to help them excel and succeed, and flourish as a therapist.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
I recently spoke with a spa manager and they shared an awesome story about one of our recent graduates, who is already attracting return clientele. They had more than one guest request them as their therapist for a second visit, and even moved someone to become a member as a result of their service. That’s what keeps me motivated, to know that our students are out there making a difference and spreading positive energy.
To apply at the Burke Williams Academy of Massage Therapy visit www.bwmassageschool.com
