In 2014, at the age of 16, I decided I wanted to have a career in the Beauty Therapy and/or Makeup industry. I began looking into what Diploma courses existed and the tuition fees required. I did a tour at the Australasian Beauty Therapy Academy and obtained tuition quotes from the school principle. At the time these courses were not covered by any government help schemes and therefore my saving goal was set. I approached the owner of the local pharmacy where I had been working part time, explained my situation and requested to be considered for the full-time Point of Sale (POS) manager position that was available.
I was quickly promoted to the position and remained in that role for the entirety of 2014. Every pay I only kept $50 for myself and the rest went straight into my savings account. By 2015 I had enough to begin a dual diploma. I studied a Diploma of Beauty Therapy with ITEC recognition by day and a Diploma of Specialist Make-up Services by night. Throughout this year I came to realize that the skin science lessons were my favourite and knew I wanted to learn more.
In 2016 I begun a Bachelor of Dermal Sciences through Victoria University. I studied full time during the day and worked nights. As I lived in Canberra, I studied the course online, logging into lectures and tutorials from home and flying to Melbourne for 1-3 weeks every semester to complete the practical component in an intensive block. In 2019 I was given membership to the Golden Key International Honours Society for being in the top 15% at the University and in December of 2019 I graduated.
After looking into career opportunities in Canberra and other states I decided to make the move to Queensland in February of 2020. Right now, I am located here in Brisbane City and working full time at an inner city spa.