Fulfillment comes in new career in healing arts
Each month ''Transitions" profiles an individual who has made significant changes in his or her work life and highlights the techniques used to make the changes.
Marcie Troisi, 49
Career transition: From software development and marketing to acupuncturist and practitioner of Oriental medicine
What she used to do: Manager of technical marketing, Lotus Development Corp.
What she does now: Owns and operates Acupuncture of Winchester, solo practice as licensed acupuncturist and herbalist
Making the switch: When she left her full-time software marketing job after the birth of her first child in 1990, Troisi knew someday she would have a second career.
After 12 years in computers and high-tech start-ups, she also knew that corporate America was not for her anymore. Troisi was determined to ''look inside myself and design my next career just for me, suited to what I was."
True to her methodical, analytical self, she felt if she were organized about it, it would be easier to take that next step. ''It would be hard for me to make a change, to move forward," Troisi recalled thinking, ''if I didn't know where I was going."
Within a few months of leaving work, she devised an approach to finding her next career.
''I thought it would be a helpful exercise to write a sentence and leave it around to complete," she said.
That sentence was: ''My ideal profession will enable me to . . ."
Over time, passing through the kitchen and seeing the question posted on her fridge, Troisi filled in the blanks. She eventually came up with four answers:
The first was to ''have a different definition of success -- one that was not about the corner office or stock options."
The second was ''to be able to contribute to making the world a better place," knowing she had to be realistic and could not trot off to far-flung climes for the Peace Corps with a young family to raise.
Third, she wanted to be her own boss.
And fourth, she wanted ''to be able to use my current strengths and abilities," relying on her natural talents and interests.
By 1995, with a second young daughter to care for, Troisi, who earned a bachelor's in education from Marietta College, took her first step back into the workplace, accepting a part-time administrative position at her children's preschool.
While there, working with admissions applications that included a detailed medical history for each child, Troisi's eyes were opened by the extent of health issues faced by young children and their families. The notion of a profession as a healer began to take shape in her mind.
Sometime thereafter, frustrated by a nagging health issue of her own -- chronic lower back pain -- Troisi received her first acupuncture treatment.
''I was just amazed," she remembered. ''Not only did it address the back pain, I realized I felt much better overall."
Not only did she want to learn more about acupuncture, but she considered ''possibly becoming part of this 3,000-year-old caring tradition."
Attending an open house at the New England School of Acupuncture in Watertown, the country's first such school, Troisi found herself among like-minded people -- collegial, not competitive. She was drawn in and considered applying.
''I kept saying to myself over and over again 'Just one step at a time,' " she recalled.
Troisi felt her children's age gave her a window of opportunity to follow the next career steps. The girls were no longer toddlers, but were not yet adolescents either, both of which she felt required more constant attention. So, she enrolled at the acupuncture school part time. But not having any medical background, Troisi first had to take premed courses, including the dreaded organic chemistry.
By 2000, she was a full-time student. ''I was known as the crazy woman at the bus stop, the mother with her schoolbooks, studying Asian medicine," she said.
Troisi also remembered doing homework in the afternoon sitting with her children at the kitchen table, and practicing her technique on them when they had a toothache or other pain. ''They thought it was cool."
In August 2004, Troisi received her master's in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. After passing five sets of exams over several months, she finally got her state license to practice the following June, and opened shop immediately. To prepare for a solo practice, Troisi contacted other acupuncturists to find out what was involved in setting up and running her own business.
She sees 20 to 25 patients a week, typically for 60-minute sessions. Her patients range from very young to old, and have a broad range of ailments -- allergies, digestive problems, insomnia, asthma, migraines. She also treats the pain and suffering of cancer patients.
''I thoroughly enjoy getting up and going to work in the morning," said Troisi. ''It's everything I dreamed of and more," she added, citing not only the fulfillment of her four criteria but the gratitude of her patients.
Troisi, who has been a singer since she was 6, said the new career engages her whole person. ''My high-tech side brings the science, and my musical side brings the art. Oriental medicine is a perfect merging of both of these strengths."
Eventually Troisi, who had to dig deep into savings to pay for her education, hopes to earn even half of the $90,000 or so salary she made when she left the software world. Her financial goal is to not only stay solvent, but to contribute to the family's expenses, mindful as she is of two children coming nearing college age. Her husband, still in the software business after many years, has been supportive of Troisi at every turn, crucial to her success, she said.
''The kids are also proud of me," she said, aware the children also probably absorbed some life lessons while witnessing their mother's transition.
Troisi said she felt that she was at a time in her life that allowed her to make a profound professional transformation.
''Women are lucky that way," she said. ''We have milestones, different compartments in our lives. I see that as opportunity.
If you have a career transition story you would be willing to share, please write to transitions@bostonworks.com. Include your name, phone number, e-mail address, and a brief description of your career change. 