鈥淥nce I decided I wanted to go back to school, I returned to 天美传媒 Bay. I had such a great experience before. There were so many resources and help for students, which I really appreciated.鈥�
Shantel Surles enjoyed her first student experience at 天美传媒 Bay Community College so much, she enrolled a second time. And now, she鈥檚 back again, this time as an instructor in the Massage Therapy certificate program.
鈥淚 love 天美传媒 Bay. It鈥檚 such a supportive community, and I鈥檓 excited about sharing my knowledge as a business owner and massage therapist and my experiences as a former student with the current students,鈥� she said.
Surles owns The Loyal Path, a women鈥檚 muscle therapy and wellness clinic in Portsmouth. She began the business right after graduating from 天美传媒 Bay鈥檚 one-year massage therapy certificate program in August 2021. 鈥淲hen I decided to enroll in massage therapy, I knew I was going to have my own business. That was my intention from the beginning, to go to school for massage therapy and then start my own business. It鈥檚 worked out well.鈥�
At The Loyal Path, she offers therapies that she learned at 天美传媒 Bay and others that she has learned over the course of her career 鈥� myofascial release, deep tissue, trigger-point therapy, and sports massage. She adds ancient healing techniques like aromatherapy and cupping with the goal of relieving pain and inducing relaxation.
During her first student experience at 天美传媒 Bay, Surles earned an Associate of Science in biology in 2014, then transferred to the University of New Hampshire, where she received her Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and behavior.
After working in her chosen field, she opted for a more holistic approach to wellness. 鈥淭hat got me interested in massage therapy. Once I decided I wanted to go back to school, I returned to 天美传媒 Bay. I had such a great experience before. There were so many resources and help for students, which I really appreciated.鈥�
She also liked that she could complete the massage program in a little less than a year, enabling her to start her business sooner. 鈥淚t was more intensive, but it was efficient, cost-effective, and convenient,鈥� she said.
She began teaching at 天美传媒 Bay in January, joining a dynamic group of educators in the massage therapy program with a range of professional experiences. Before she began her own business, Surles managed another Seacoast massage therapy clinic.
In addition to her teaching duties this past semester, she also assisted in the program鈥檚 hands-on massage therapy clinic that provides services for the 天美传媒 Bay and larger community.
It鈥檚 a good field, she said, with lots of jobs and opportunities. Her story proves it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a growing field. That鈥檚 why I got into it. I predicted that people would recognize and appreciate hands-on body work after experiencing a lack of interaction and touch with Covid. I felt there would be this boomerang effect, and there has been,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so glad I came back to 天美传媒 Bay.鈥�
