We’ve done lots of blog posts which detail university life – but what about after people graduate? We have decided to do an interview series to give our readers an insight into what paths can be taken after the course. Our graduates have gone on to do some amazing things, so it’s only right that we celebrate their achievements! For this first post we interviewed 5 graduates/soon to be graduates (Class of 2018 are finished but have to wait until November to formally graduate). Enjoy!
#1: Lauren Bachelor
Quick Facts
Age: 26
Where are you living? Derbyshire
Are you from a therapist background? Yes
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management
What year did you graduate in? 2017
What did you do before you attended university?
I was running my own beauty room.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
That we have the ability to make people feel good about themselves and help them make small lifestyle changes to make their lives better.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I wanted to further my knowledge and skills within my industry and be able to make a change within the industry I work in.
How did you find the course?
I really enjoyed the course, although it was challenging at times. It covered a wide variety of topics and even gave me real world learning.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
The opportunities that the course gave me to attend so many different spa related events and work opportunities.
What are you doing now?
I've taken a new route in my career - I've moved away from holistic therapies and am now training to be a Clinical Therapist at a medi-spa. I will be based in Cheshire, with the odd day at Harley Street in London. My job involves working with the latest cutting ege anti-ageing technology and performing treatments on face and body using laser, dermapens and electrical machines to aid clients' skin concerns.
If you had any advice for a prospective student, what would you tell them?
Make sure you go for every single opportunity that you can possibly get with the university, all experience is key for professional and personal development.
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#2 Julie Hollis
Quick Facts
Age: 46
Where are you living? Hope Valley, Derbyshire
Are you from a therapist background? Yes
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management
What year are you due to graduate in? 2018
What did you do before you attended university?
I worked in a family business – Health and Safety. This involved providing advice and carrying out risk assessments etc.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
I love the holistic treatments and therapies.
What drove you to apply for the course?
It was the next step up from Level 3 Beauty and Holistic Therapies. I didn’t think I was ready for the industry and wanted to gain more experience.
How did you find the course?
I loved meeting new people and having new experiences. It was sometimes a little scary because I had to step out of my comfort zone for example delivering presentations.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
Hopefully graduation!
What are you doing now?
Hopefully I will be working for myself abroad – preferably Spain.
If you had any advice for a prospective student, what would you tell them?
Enjoy every moment as time goes really quickly. Don’t be afraid of trying new things – everyone is in the same boat as you. Try your best.
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#3 Shannon Scott
Quick Facts
Age: 21
Where are you living? Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Are you from a therapist background? No
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management (Accelerated)
What year did you graduate in? 2017
What did you do before you attended university?
Before attending university I was at sixth form at Garibaldi College studying Sport & Science. I was also working part time as a Spa Attendant at Aqua Sana Center Parcs Sherwood Forest.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
I was 17 when I started working at Aqua Sana Center Parcs when I was first introduced to spa and wellness. Working here opened my eyes to this whole new world seeing people being able to close off the outside and focus on themselves and relax. What I love about spa is having the option of being able to take it home with you after you’ve been either for spa or for treatments in the form of products. This enables you to continue your relaxation and bliss at home.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I always knew I wanted to go and experience university, and in this day and age I felt it was very important to have a degree under your belt to prove you had that high level of learning. But working at Aqua Sana Center Parcs opened me up to this whole new world and that’s when I started to look to see if there were any universities which did anything to do with spa. I found International Spa Management, went to visit and fell in love with the course and the town of Buxton.
How did you find the course?
I loved the course, for me the accelerated degree was amazing - I did a 3 year degree in 2 years, saved so much money as was able to get out into the industry quicker. The lecturers were amazing, they always had time for us and knew us all personally which was good because you could go to any one of them and they would help you with anything. Also the group sizes in lectures/seminars were good as they weren’t too small and weren’t too big, you were able to get help and wasn’t ignored and you didn’t feel embarrassed to ask questions.
What was your highlight over the 2 years?
For me personally being able to be a part of ‘Elemis Angles’ (work on the Elemis bus which went to different events nationally and help with sales and mini treatments) as that was something I would have never been able to do without the connection of the university with big skincare brands.
What are you doing now?
I am currently working at Aqua Sana Center Parcs Sherwood Forest as a Beauty Therapist and Spa Host. A beauty therapists’ roles include carrying out high end and quality beauty treatments. As a spa host my roles include carrying out discovery sessions, organising clients when they are on a spa day with checking them in for their lunch and being their go to if they have any questions/quires or troubles and taking bookings for them for additional treatments they might want.
If you had any advice for a prospective student, what would you tell them?
Go for it and stick with it, it is a tougher course than it looks but it's so worth it and it give you opportunities with big companies within the industry which could lead to big things.
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#4 Tracy Mycock
Quick Facts
Where are you living? Buxton, Derbyshire
Are you from a therapist background? Yes
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management
What year did you graduate in? 2017
What did you do before you attended university?
I was working mobile as a Beauty Therapist.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
I did it as part of my NVQ. I enjoy the benefits of spa, especially for back pain.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I went to university to gain the knowledge to do different roles within a spa.
How did you find the course?
I enjoyed meeting people, learning all that I could in the spa and also the university trips.
What are you doing now?
I’m currently working as a Spa Supervisor on a temporary contract at the Devonshire Spa in Buxton.
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#5 Rebecca Langley
Quick Facts
Age: 22
Where are you living? South Yorkshire
Are you from a therapist background? Yes
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management
What year did you graduate in? 2016
What did you do before you attended university?
I studied level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy at Lincoln College and worked in salons and spas whilst studying to gain experience.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
I like helping others and meeting new people and building a nice client base.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I wanted to further my studies to make me one better than everyone else when applying for jobs.
How did you find the course?
I really enjoyed the course. They put lots of events and trips on so we had a great experience of what the industry is like.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
Visiting the Blue Lagoon spa in Iceland and handing in my dissertation.
What are you doing now?
I’m teaching Beauty Therapy at a private beauty school.
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Thanks to Lauren, Julie, Shannon, Tracy and Rebecca for their responses! Look out for more interview posts in the coming weeks…
The Spa and Wellness Blog