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“While it’s had its challenges, it's definitely worth it,” she says. “It's nice to go home and say, ‘I've done it’. I've managed it well.”
Aimiee-Lee started with the Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) in 2018. The one year programme is considered the first step towards a career in the industry.
Tertiary study is a significant commitment for anyone to make, but Aimiee-Lee also had the responsibility of being a mother.
“I have two children of my own and two that live with me full-time,” she says.
“It has had its challenges, especially on Mondays when we have the on-campus Beauty Zone salon. However, I've got a great support system with my husband and then we've got friends that have also helped out with the children when needed.”
Aimiee-Lee says she was initially interested in the makeup side of the industry, but has since gravitated towards skin treatments.
“Facial treatments are more my specialty, that's what I really enjoy doing.”
She says her interest in skin motivated her to further her studies with the Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5).
“I wanted to know more and Level 5 is very much about the advanced facials. You just dig deeper into the anatomy and the way skin works.”
In addition to the support of her husband and friends, Aimiee-Lee says she also received a lot of support from her tutors and NMIT’s Student Association, SANITI(external link).
“The tutors have been great. They've pushed for us to succeed and have encouraged us and helped us along the way.”
SANITI is available to support students with their studies, finances, employment, wellbeing, stress — anything they need to have a positive study experience.
“I think SANITI is amazing. It's so important to us as students to know they'll help anybody and the things that they do on campus are great, too, like the free lunches and events.”
Aimiee-Lee has already secured a part-time job at Woman Day Spa(external link) in Nelson, which is where she did her work placement during the diploma programme.
“I absolutely love it. They specialise in a lot of the facials and beauty body treatments that I enjoy the most and I feel that I've really gelled in quite well.”
She says anyone who’s interested in beauty therapy should come in and give it a go.
“You'll know fairly quickly if it's for you or not. It's definitely worth giving it a go and whether you've got kids by yourself or anything, you can get through it.”
