What jobs suit martial artists, and why?

[choombatta]

So for some reason I get the feeling a lot of the people here kind like the martial arts. Some of us spend most, maybe all of our free time training. Some of us run schools and make our money directly from the martial arts.

What are other professions that will suit a passionate, serious martial artist, who would ideally like to utilize his/her training?

I'd like to see some ideas outside of the obvious, although I'm sure someone will find the 'obvious' list engaging as well.

[glad2bhere]

Seems like any occupation that would speak to order and structure. As you say the obvious choices would involve security of some sort. Police, security guards and the Military. However, I think you need to go past just the physical. For instance, my experience has been that people who make an avocation of the martial arts have special respect for structure, rules, guidelines and judgement. In this way circumstances that would require supporting clear guidlines may be a consideration. House parents, foster parents, mentors and counselors come to mind. Moving farther in this direction, people who serve the public in supportive ways such as Meals-on-Wheels, visiting nurses and therapists, escorts and activity supervisors need to provide "protective" services but in a slightly different way. Farther yet and there are live-in care-givers, personal assistants and special situations such as security personnel for family members as well as travel escorts. Now, these aren't your typical kick-!!! bouncer-type positions, but they still utilize the sort of strength, character and judgement one would get from years of MA study. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[Peter H.]

My experince shows that most martial artist are IT professional or wokr in the medical field, I don't know why, but it's just the way it worked out.

It's also odd that the reverse is true, as the people that you would think need martial arts are the most resistant to learning it or have the least drive to do so. I've worked private security and been the "Bad Guy" for many seminars for cops, and I teach on a military base. There's always a "It doesn't work attitude," or "I lift weights, I'm fine". Then I see some of these same guys get it handed to them in a fight, or in the security case, they are so afraid of confrontation that they hide during it and leave it to the guys with training, but the attitude still doesn't change.

[joe yang]

Historically, there are three traditional fields for professional martial artists, teaching, protective services and performance. That is not to say that martial arts training alone gives you the skills you need to thrive in those fields, but if you want to be a professional martial artist, those are the options.

If I understand you correctly, your post is more on the lines of which fields of employment martial artist gravitate towards?

[glad2bhere]

Dear Peter:

"........There's always a "It doesn't work attitude," or "I lift weights, I'm fine". Then I see some of these same guys get it handed to them in a fight, or in the security case, they are so afraid of confrontation that they hide during it and leave it to the guys with training, but the attitude still doesn't change....."

I know what you mean and I have yet to be able to sort this one out. At one time I thought it was a matter of not a sufficient amount of practical material for everyday use given the amount of time and energy one needs to invest. Then I thought it was a "macho" thing where it was difficult for someone to admit that they might not be in control or would have to give up control even momentarily to a teacher. Then I figured that maybe it was a matter of being taught something by someone who was also a LEO. In turn each of these premises turned out not to hold water. Its not like LEO-s aren't involved in MA. the LA PD has a stellar MA program. I'm working on a new angle though. Consider for a minute how many competent professionals routinely go in for voluntary skills improvement course which are NOT mandated by their employer. Maybe in fairness Cops are no more reluctant than anyone else who wants to go home and veg-out after work, yes? FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[choombatta]

Originally posted by joe yang
I understand you correctly, your post is more on the lines of which fields of employment martial artist gravitate towards?

Actually I'm just looking for something to do now that the Dux thread is closed. :)

Seriously though, Bruce's post was basically what I was looking for. An evaluation of where we can utilize the things we learn/develop in studying serious martial arts, beyond the typical bouncer.

[Aaron T]

Exotic dancer here, a broke one...but I try.

Aaron Fields

[n2shotokai]

I was going to say I was a male escort, waiting for my first client, but that would make me a wanna be comedian.

I enjoy anything that makes me think. I look forward to mental challenges.

[Daniel san]

Hello,
You could try visual artist...unless you were wanting to eat and have clothes and stuff.:D

[kenkyusha]

You could be a bone-setter too (as Peter H. said about the medical field).

PT/OT or massage therapist seem like they are a natural fit; both provide an understanding of the muscular/skeletal structure, what the most common injuries are (and so by extension, what the easy ones would be to cause). One could also go w/acupuncture/tuina/amma/shiatsu if that floats your boat...

Be well,
Jigme

[Exorcist_Fist]

Fantasy Author, as many fat out of shape "martial artists" are under the delusion that an hour or so at the dojo, two nights a week will turn them into a "bad A$$".