We spoke to Victoria Watson, our Hair and Beauty department technician about her career journey. She told us how she left school early at the age 16 with just two GCSEs to start a level 1 hairdressing course and is now working as part of the team of staff in the hair and beauty department at the same time as training to work in management.
When Victoria first came to college she was the first to admit she wasn’t truly focussed on the course or hairdressing as a career. She told us how she left college in her first year because she believed she just wanted to earn money and work a full-time job.
“I was a bit of a rebel at school, and I bit of a rebel at college too. I was 16 and just couldn’t snap out of it. I left college early, in my head, I thought I would work full time, earn money and be happy. I worked in a restaurant for a bit instead of carrying on with my Level 1 but I didn’t like it. ”
“I came back to college after working at the restaurant and they asked me whether they should give me a second chance. Thankfully they did and I came back and did two years of Level 2 Technical Cutting and Colouring and Hairdressing.”
During her Level 2 course, she was awarded Most Improved Student throughout the college. A fantastic achievement to be presented with after coming back to prove she could do it.
An apprenticeship worked to further Victoria’s qualifications
Victoria wanted to study her Level 3 qualification but realised she would have had to fund the course herself as she was 19. Fortunately, she saw a job for a technician at the college where she could do an apprenticeship and Level 3 at the same time. This was a perfect solution as it allowed her to carry on with her study progression and earn a wage.
“Michaela (the curriculum operations manager) said she wanted to give me a second chance, she said after all the years, I had really shone through, and I came through all my exams with a distinction*. I completed my Level 3 Technician qualification as an apprentice, they kept me on and now I’m doing my Level 3 Management apprenticeship.”
Not only is Victoria doing her job as a technician in the department, an apprenticeship and further studying, she’s also doing hairdressing outside of college and working in a vaccination clinic.
Career progression
We asked Victoria why she decided to do the management course and how this would benefit her career progression.
“I want to become a teacher or manager in hairdressing or beauty therapy. When I’m a bit older, one of my biggest goals is to work in curriculum operations. Once I have done my Level 3, I aspire to do my Level 5 in Curriculum Operations Management.
I love mingling with the students, seeing different faces, and then seeing them progress. I love it. I can relate to them as I’ve been through that process.”
Supporting students and incredible facilities
Students work in industry standard salons in college to ensure they get experience working with a whole range of different equipment. We asked Victoria to tell us more about why that makes a difference.
“The facilities here are incredible, I feel proud to be in the department because I’m helping it be like that as well. I’m helping the students get their kits and uniforms to make sure they have the best opportunities possible. Seeing their faces when you tell them they get their own styling tools and heads; their faces light up as they are proud it’s theirs to keep. They can take it home and practice to show us. It’s a hobby as well as a career route”.
Victoria will finish her course in August 2022 after studying for 6 years to get to where she wants to be. Her research for her end point assessment sounds exciting and we wish her all the best with her goals and aspirations.
