Sarasota School of Massage Therapy is deeply committed to helping our graduates for the rest of their lives.
SSMT offers structured, long-term career placement support designed to help graduates transition into the workforce and continue growing throughout their careers. Placement assistance is available immediately after graduation and remains accessible later on, should graduates choose to change settings, relocate, or pursue new opportunities within the massage therapy field.
Our placement team works directly with employers who actively seek out SSMT graduates because of their strong professional reputation. Job opportunities are most common in the Sarasota and Bradenton area, but regularly extend throughout greater Tampa, North Port, and Port Charlotte, with occasional listings from out of state. Graduates may also receive leads on professional massage spaces available for rent or shared use, as well as existing massage businesses for sale.
While employment cannot be guaranteed, SSMT’s placement outcomes reflect consistent, long-term success. From 2011 through 2019, more than 87% of graduates secured employment each year, with placement rates reaching all-time highs of 90–91% in the most recently reported reporting periods.
Graduates benefit from multiple pathways into the profession. Licensed alumni may begin building a client base through the SSMT graduate clinic with guidance from the school, while others pursue employment with established practices, spas, healthcare providers, and larger employers who are frequently hiring.
The massage therapy industry has experienced a sustained practitioner shortage for several years, resulting in steady demand and notable wage increases across many settings. Large employers continue to hire year-round. Additional insight into workforce trends and earning potential is available on our blog.
Current job postings from employers seeking SSMT graduates are shared through the Student Portal, which remains accessible to both students and alumni. For personalized job referrals exclusive to SSMT graduates, contact Autumn Lopez at (941) 957-0577 or by email.
SSMT offers outstanding continuing education opportunities for massage therapists to help them develop as professionals.
The Financial Aid Department is a resource for graduates and will help with Financial Aid questions or concerns such as managing your loan payments and communicating with your loan servicer after you graduate.
Official SSMT transcripts are available free of charge to all graduates in good standing with the SSMT Finance Office and any Federal or TFC student loan repayment. Transcripts will be mailed to the address supplied below within 4 business days of the request.
The SSMT professional clinic has 4 treatment rooms equipped with massage tables, soft lighting, and a relaxing waiting area. The rooms in the professional clinic are available for rent by the session to grads and other licensed massage therapists.
When clients call SSMT in search of an LMT, we schedule them with our grads in the professional clinic. If our student clinic is full, we recommend the professional clinic as well. Some graduates are able to begin to build a practice with the work they do in the professional clinic.
We want to hear from you! Whether you’re a recent grad who just passed the exam or a graduate from years ago who just expanded your practice, please keep us updated on your success!
