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: Bryony Murphy
Quick Facts
Age: 22
Where are you living? Essex
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 at college and I worked part time in a salon as a therapist.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
The spa industry interests me because of how versatile it is - you don’t know what the trends are going to be next.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I wanted to be more than a beauty therapist and the course was perfect for that.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
All the industry experience I have received working in Scotland, working for Elemis, all the different events I worked and also being supervisor in the award winning Devonshire Spa.
What are you doing now?
I am now Assistant Manager in a leading salon in Essex managing a team of 6 with 4000 clients between us.
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#2: Chloe Shuttlewood
Quick Facts
Age: 22
Where are you living? Essex
Are you from a therapist background? Yes
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management
What year will you graduate in? 2018
What did you do before you attended university?
Before uni I did a year of A-Levels and two years of Beauty Therapy.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
What interests me about the spa and wellness industry is the opportunities to influence and inspire others through therapies.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I applied to the course due to wanting a further knowledge of the industry.
How did you find the course?
I enjoyed learning lots of new things and having the opportunity to develop my abilities with new knowledge.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
My highlight was discovering how I can achieve what I want when I put my mind to it and finding out that I have the ability to develop and grow.
What are you doing now?
At the moment I am working as therapist at a destination spa, where I have worked for two years.
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#3: Vicky Turner
Quick Facts
Age: 25
Where are you living? York
Are you from a therapist background? Yes
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management
What year did you graduate in? 2014 with a Foundation Degree and 2015 with a Bachelor's degree
What did you do before you attended university?
I studied Beauty Therapy level 2 and 3 at college.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
I was originally attracted to the industry because I loved preforming massage. I stayed in the industry because of my passion to deliver a unique service to a client. Making others feel better about themselves through treatments and educating clients on how spa and wellness can benefit their overall lifestyle.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I applied for the course because it was unique, there was no other course like it at the time and I wanted to further my knowledge around the industry and my kick start my career in management.
How did you find the course?
Being able to have the chance to work within a commercial spa along side my degree also played a huge factor as I could gain the experience as well as the knowledge about the industry.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
Over the 3 years I learned a lot but I enjoyed learning the business management side more, especially strategic management as this allowed me to gain the knowledge to expand and develop any business I am a part of.
What are you doing now?
Currently I am Front of House and The Team Leader of a Beauty Salon/Skin clinic.
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#4: Rebecca Ryan
Quick Facts
Age: 20
Where are you living? Chapel-En-Le-Frith, Derbyshire
Are you from a therapist background? Yes
Course title: BSc (Hons) International Spa Management
What year did you graduate in? 2018
What did you do before you attended university?
Before university I was at college studying level 2 then level 3 Beauty Therapy.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
I'm interested in the industry as I’m really into beauty and skincare.
What drove you to apply for the course?
The university is part of the college I attended, so I had a lot of support and encouragement from my tutors at college which made me interested in the degree.
How did you find the course?
The course taught me a lot more than I would have known from not doing it, I enjoyed the different trips and events, for example conference day.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
My highlight was meeting loads of great people and learning more about the industry.
What are you doing now?
I’m now an Assistant Spa Manager at Shrigley Hall Spa!
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#5: Mia Ahmed
Quick Facts
Age: 23
Where are you living? West Yorkshire
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 did level 3 Beauty Therapy at college & had a part time job in retail.
What is it about the spa and wellness industry that interests you?
Not only healing physically, but spa and wellness is proven to have mental health benefits too and it gives me a sense of pride watching a stressed client leave my room looking and feeling lighter.
What drove you to apply for the course?
I wanted to develop skills and knowledge in a field that interested me and knew this course would provide the platform for me to do so and further my career.
How did you find the course?
It was very challenging but in a good way, it stimulated my brain which is what I need to enjoy what I’m doing.
What was your highlight over the 3 years?
Having the opportunity to visit spas across the country & world.
What are you doing now?
I'm a Senior Therapist at a 5 star spa.
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Thanks to Bryony, Chloe, Vicky, Rebecca and Mia for their responses! Look out for more interview posts in the coming weeks…
The Spa and Wellness Blog