So this is our last post for the Spa and Wellness Blog. To mark this occasion we thought that we would share with you how we found our university experience and what we are planning on doing after we graduate in November, we hope you enjoy it!!
How We Found Our University Experience
Hannah-
Overall I would definitely say that i have enjoyed my 3 years at university, I have learnt things about myself that i never knew would be possible like finishing my degree and graduating just November. I have also met friends for life and will definitely keep in contact with them. Even though I came from a therapist background as I studied beauty at college so i had a little bit of knowledge of the industry before I came to uni but know I feel that I now know enough that I feel comfortable to go out in the industry and start my career in beauty, spa and wellness. The course has given me the tools to be able to manage a team of people as we learnt a lot on the managerial side of this degree and what would work well for different people and businesses. I have loved that we have had the chance to work with some of the top and leading spa brands and become qualified in their treatments they are Elemis, Ishga, Caudalie, [comfort zone], Mii and Jessica nails. These brands are amazing in their own way and I loved learning what the brand represent and what they stand for. Without going to the University of Derby, Buxton an study the International Spa Management degree I wouldn't know what I do today and I will forever to grateful to the staff and tutors at my university.
Corrin-
I really enjoyed my 3 years at university because I learnt so much whilst having the best time of my life with amazing people. Before coming to university, I came from a non-therapist background as I completed A-Levels at sixth form. The International Spa Management degree taught me everything that I needed to know about being a therapist and within my first few months of studying massage therapy, I became a fully qualified massage therapist. I continued to learn many different other treatments such as facials and became a qualified therapist in the brands Elemis, Ishga, Caudalie and [comfort zone]. As well as the physical side of spa therapy, I learnt so much on the managerial and theoretical side of the industry which I was able to put into practice down in the Universities' commercial spa ‘The Devonshire Spa’. I now feel fully prepared to go out into industry and manage other people which I thank The University of Derby for.
Charlie-
I had always wanted to go university from a young age, so it felt like the natural path for me. Having said this, I didn’t know what I actually wanted to study at degree level. It wasn’t until August 2015 that I was browsing the UCAS Clearing website and discovered the International Spa Management degree. I knew straight away that this was the perfect path for me – I applied and the next month I was here! This just goes to show that it’s not too late to apply, if you’re hesitant, my advice is to just go for it and you won’t look back. The course itself has been hugely interesting and eye opening; having already been a seasoned spa therapist, I was paticularly keen to learn about the theoretical side of management. I was introduced to concepts within modules such as Human Resources, Business Development and Research which I really enjoyed. Every subsequent year builds on skills and concepts you learn in previous years, which means you can really consolidate your knowledge. Although challenging at times, this degree has been a rewarding path of study and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in furthering their career in spa, wellness and/or management.
Cristina-
Overall, university has been a very cultivating experience for me. I’ve learnt a lot from my friends, my lecturers and even from myself. I wouldn’t have changed anything for the better, because I know that everything that has happened, has happened for a reason. So much has changed in such a little time – I still remember moving into halls in my first year, and now I’m getting ready to travel in Asia and graduate the following November! I’m so thankful to those who have become my support system in the past three years because as enriching as university is, it also comes with it’s downfalls and hardships! I could have not gotten through these three years without my friends and family, so thank you all. Now I plan to move to and work in Edinburgh the following September before graduation, so I can experience more and exceed the limits of my success.
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What We Are Planning To Do After We Graduate
Hannah-
At the moment I'm not 100% sure what I want to do after I graduate but I do know that i want to stay in the spa industry but where that's what I am unsure about. I intentionally wanted to go to Canada and work in one of their mountain spas (the winters there look amazing) but it's been proving a little bit more challenging to get everything I need to be able to work out there but I do still want to be able to get the chance to work in Canada even if it is a little later than planned, if that doesn't happen I would definitely want to work abroad somewhere (even if it's a little island off England), I mainly want to do this so I can see what it is like to work in a different country and if it's different than the UK. After I've done that and come back to the UK I don't mind where I end up as long as it has a good public transport system ;P and doesn't take me too long to get back home when I visit family and friends.
Corrin-
After I graduate, I hope to work abroad doing a year placement in industry, either in America or Europe. I am also looking at the idea of working on cruise ships for a bit to gain more experience and confidence. After working abroad, I would like to come back to the UK and move to a city (ideally Manchester) and continue my career in the industry.
Charlie-
I actually had my first ever abroad trip with university, and it’s safe to say I have caught the travel bug. I’d really like to broaden my knowledge of spa and wellness by visiting and hopefully even working in international locations. Aside from this, I have always enjoyed writing so I’ve loved being part of this blog, and hope to launch my own personal blog in the near future. Eventually, I would like to go into Human Resources Management – this was one of my favourite modules at uni and I think I’d be well suited to the role, so it’s definitely something I’d like to specialise in in the future. However, I know that whatever path I take, this degree has equipped me with the experience, skills and knowledge to succeed.
Cristina-
Even though I have spent three years in the spa industry, I have chosen to work in Human Resources for the future. Those in the HR department oversee various aspects of employment, from recruiting, interviewing and hiring new staff to dealing with finance and administrating employee benefits, in compliance with labour laws and employment standards. I have chosen to work in HR because I enjoy working with employees and maximising their performance in service of their employers objectives. But what I enjoy most, is cultivating a welcoming and cheerful environment for others.
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The time has come for us to say goodbye to The Spa and Wellness Blog - it's time to hand it over to the new team who will be keep you updated with the ins and outs of life as a student studying International Spa Management at the University of Derby, Buxton and all about the growing spa and wellness industry. Even though this is our last writtem post as The Spa and Wellness Blog, we still have one more post to come, the much anticipated Q&A video which will be coming out very soon. We have had an amazing time sharing everything we know, but now it is time to move on and start our next adventure! We can't wait to see what the new team have instore for you, but we know you won't be disappointed.
Hannah, Corrin, Charlie and Cristina,
The Spa and Wellness Blog