New series: Area young professionals talk about their chosen career fields

Local massage therapist Erica D. Vinson shares her story

Erica D. Vinson practices massage therapy on a client.

Since graduating from Marquette University in 2002, I’ve gained a lot of work experience, going from job to job.

However, all of these experiences amounted to a series of simple "job titles." I desired more than just a job. I wanted a career.

I wanted to feel passionate about the work that I did everyday and not just satisfied with the capability to doing the job.

Regardless of the type of jobs I’ve had in the past, I’ve always put forth my best effort to remember not to become too attached to the job. The reasoning behind this method was my heart’s desire.

For many years, my heart has longed to be an entrepreneur and to help people help themselves.

I believe that God gives us all gifts and that He expects us to use these gifts to help others. God has blessed me with many gifts and I am particularly grateful for the gift of healing. Jeremiah 17:14 says, "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed." This passage of scripture indicates that healing is a state of mind. A person has to believe that they are healed in order to receive healing.

If someone believes my touch through massage therapy will heal them, nurture them, or even simply make them feel better, then that person will experience a change. This is my primary reason for pursuing a career in massage therapy. I want God to use me to help bring about healing.

As a student at Lakeside School of Massage Therapy in Milwaukee, I became proficient in delivering various massage techniques. I am confident in my ability to develop a quality treatment plan based on the client’s needs. In the near future, I plan to specialize in prenatal and infant massage. My passion is to educate families on the benefits of massage and how to incorporate it into their lives. I believe in the power of touch and I am dedicated to legitimizing the practice of massage as a medical modality.

McGee’s trial date

The federal trial for jailed Alderman Michael McGee will not be on October 1 as planned after a magistrate judge recently ruled the case as "complex" and gave McGee’s defense more time to prepare.

Magistrate Judge William Callahan ordered prosecutors and the defense to return on August 16 to discuss the timetable. The defense indicated it would need at least two months to review the thousands of wiretapped phone calls and other recordings by informants before making motions.

AirTran, Midwest Express

AirTran Holdings Inc. doesn’t expect to get out-bid in its quest to buy Midwest Air Group Inc., primarily because a Midwest Air sale to AirTran makes more business sense than any other outcome, AirTran Chairman Joe Leonard reportedly said.

Bar Louie

A popular Water Street watering hole won’t have much "water" for more than a month because of a paperwork mix-up.

The liquor license for Bar Louie expired Monday night. The bar’s management applied to renew the license and won the support of the Common Council’s Licenses Committee. But Milwaukee ordinances require that a liquor license application be on file for at least 30 days before the full council votes on it. Because Tuesday’s meeting was the last session before the council’s August recess, the license cannot be renewed until the next council meeting September 5.