IOTPD
International Organization for the Transition of Professional Dancers

Violaine Roth

(Switzerland)

Dancer - Medical Secretary

 

​Trained at Conservatoire National de Lyon in France, Violaine Roth danced professionally at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, Switzerland. She then performed as a freelance artist over a year (Alias/Guilherme Botelho, Synopia, Opéra de Nice) and then was hired for three years at Ballets du Rhin, Germany. She then came back to Grand Théâtre de Genève. She holds a ballet teaching diploma. Today, she works as a medical secretary after a one year course.
 

After 15 years of career as a professional dancer including the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, I obtained a diploma as a medical secretary (with distinction) in June 2013. Everything went very fast after that, since I found a job in July the same year.

It is definitively worth working tirelessly over a year to achieve this result. I wish that on each and every dancer reaching the end of their career.
It has been a year full of rich intellectual and human experiences since I studied diverse fields such as law, anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology… I shared this year of hard work with exceptional people, of all ages, from diverse horizons, all with the same will to obtain this diploma in order to gain stability. I realized that nowadays career transition is also very much present in other professional fields.

I loved enriching myself and learning thanks to passionate teachers with whom I am still in contact. By the way, even though I must admit feeling relieved that my diploma is in my pocket I did feel a bit lost when the course was over. I therefore consider pursuing my studies.
It took me a few months to relax in the evening. I continuously was under the impression that I had an exam the next day ! I was finding it strange, after a day work, to only take care of my son, to only food shop, to only do the washing up… because for a long time it was only around 10pm that I was able to start studying. All the same, I was always equipped with memory sticks not to miss any occasion to study in the public transport or at lunch break ! I was totally immersed in this education, three evening per week, on top of my three professional activities : dance teacher, fitness instructor and mom !

At the moment, I wonder how I managed to run all this at the same time. But my past as a dancer is the key . Dancers have so many competences gained over their long career that they are not aware of. We are combatant, so strong-willed, careful and disciplined.

When I am asked about my profession, I have a think : I am not a dancer, not a dance teacher, not a fitness trainer anymore… I am now a medical secretary !
I work in a large dermatology centre where my days are very intense but I am happy and seren about my professional future. Goal achieved !