TCM: Dear Recent Graduate,

Dear Recent Graduate,

You are an expert.

After hours studying herbs and countless sticky-dots found in your clothes you brought home from school, compared to the general public, you are an expert.

You may not feel like an expert; however, I believe this is because you are comparing yourself to practitioners who have been in the industry for years.  They don't count because your target market isn't them.  Instead, all those provincial and state exams set you apart from the average person (read: general public).

Take the time to really think about it.  How much Spleen Qi have you damaged to get to where you are today?  Look back at the most transformational experience of your life, TCM College, and acknowledge the fact that you decided to specialize in a system of healing that has just as much power as western medicine, chiropractors and massage therapists.  From your head, heart and hara, through a stainless steel needle you have the ability to heal even the most recalcitrant diseases.

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I view the title of Registered Acupuncturist as an umbrella term - encompassing many paths.  You can choose to follow as many paths as your time and Jing will allow:

Acupuncturist
Herbalist
Researcher
Author
Speaker
Teacher
Qigong & Tai Chi Instructor
Community Leader
Mentor

When I speak to young children I ask them how they think adults make money.  Inevitably their response is, "They go to work."
"What does an adult do at work?"
"They stick needles in people."
"Why do they stick needles in people?"
"Because people need help with their health conditions."
"Exactly!"

No matter the profession, all adults help people with their expertise.  And people reward such expertise with money.  Don't be afraid to share your expertise with your community in ways that will enrich their lives.  Take the teachings you've learned from TCM College, transformed by your own human being-ness and act like the adept I know you are.