Graduate Story - Alana Smith
Upon graduation, Alana was offered an opportunity to work at esteemed Sydney-based salon, Jocelyn Petroni.
After graduating from highschool, Alana arrived at The French with a passion for all things beauty and had a sound interest in makeup, skincare and nail health. Whilst studying the Diploma of Beauty Therapy full-time, Alana further explored her passion for nail-care services including manicures and pedicures. She made her mission to hone her skills to become a unique, detail-oriented therapist who paid special attention to making her clients feel the best versions of themselves.
On completion of her studies, The French helped Alana secure an Internship with esteemed Sydney-based salon, Jocelyn Petroni. After seeing her passion, hard work and determination, salon owner Jocelyn offered Alana a position as a Senior Therapist and has since relocated to Sydney to live and work full time in what Alana says is the ‘best job in the industry’. Not only does Alana love going to work each day, her favouritepart of the job is working with an incredible, supportive team and being able to connect with clients on a deeper level ensuring they receive the highest level of service and care.
What motivated you to pursue a career in beauty therapy?
I have always loved all things beauty. I loved makeup, skin care and nail health so I always found myself drawn to opportunities where I got to use my self taught skills on others. I could tell working a 9 to 5 job just wasn’t going to work for me in the long run. I love people and feel very blessed that I get to connect with my clients on a deeper level every day.
What was your main motivation for studying at the French?
I knew very well that The French would give me the best jump-start in my career and open doors for me that I could have never imagined. I knew from their presentation and reputation that they graduated the best therapists in industry.
What was your favourite part about studying at the French? How would you describe your experience from the day you started at orientation?
Studying at The French was such a wonderful chapter of my life and I never had a negative experience or a bad day at The French Beauty Academy! My favourite part was hands down the Service Excellence program. I credit the program for truly helping me become the therapist I am today! Wow, I feel very passionate about Service Excellence and wish more places would offer the program. It was just so very beneficial for me. I felt so looked after and supported at The French.
How did the French help prepare you for life as a professional beauty therapist?
Studying the Diploma full-time helped me as a beauty therapist to find my passion as it gave me a taste of what skin treatments and turning your brain into a skin science machine could be like. For me it was the start of a long and passionate career. Hands down the amount of theory we study at The French really helped me because never before had I found myself questioning found myself questioning what ingredients stimulate our Fibroblast cell or how the effects of free radicals take a serious toll on our skin.
Did you have a favourite teacher / subject at the french? Why?
I loved all the teachers at the French. I always felt like they cared about my development as a Therapist and really shared all their knowledge with me. The subject I enjoyed the most was probably manis and pedis! Although it is somewhat a simple treatment, the tiniest details can make your manicure or pedicure the best the client has ever had.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU RECEIVED FROM YOUR STUDY AT THE FRENCH?
The best advice I received at The French was to practice gratitude and love not only as a beauty therapist, but in everyday life.
The Business Of Beauty & Makeup
What were some of the invaluable lessons or most important thing that you learnt at the French that you have been able to apply to your new career?
The Service Excellence program really made a difference to the Therapist I am today. It taught me things above and beyond the realm of beauty therapy. In my current job I feel I really get to put my Service Excellence education into practice everyday. This is a bit cliché, but really The French helps you to LOVE yourself and learn that when there is positive energy inside you it will unknowingly radiate to others and you’ll find strangers drawn to you.
How easy was it for you to gain work after graduating? Tell me about your first career ‘break’?
For me I was given the opportunity to take part in an Internship Program at ‘Jocelyn Petroni’. Shortly after I was employed by Jocelyn and I am truly working in the best job in the industry. I am grateful for the opportunity that The French Beauty Academy has given me.
WHAT ELEMENTS OF YOUR STUDY ALLOWED YOU TO OBTAIN YOUR NEW JOB? WERE THERE ANY SPECIFIC SKILLS THAT YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR TIME AT THE FRENCH THAT YOU THEN HIGHLIGHTED IN ORDER TO BE HIRED?
Beauty Therapy is so much more than being good at waxing or the best at nails. It’s how you make your clients feel, how your energy radiates around the salon and why your client re-books with you. The French taught me not only the practical beauty skills, but also life skills to better myself and really become an overall more nurturing therapist. hat kind of education is priceless! I believe that Jocelyn knew I had the potential to be apart of her amazing team, but she saw those key personal attributes I already had. These skill taught from The French really helped my gain the position I have today.
HOW ARE THE FRENCH GRADUATES PERCEIVED OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Everyone knows that The French beauty Academy creates a unique therapist unlike others. We are definitely held in a different light as highly educated and intuitive therapists.
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT YOUR NEW JOB? HAS THERE BEEN A MEMORABLE MOMENT SINCE YOU GRADUATED?
I LOVE my job, I know not many people can say that and truly mean it, but I really do. I really uprooted my life for this opportunity to work at Jocelyn Petroni and I am yet to regret it. It’s the people I get to work with and the overall feel of the salon that makes it different from the rest. An experience at Jocelyn Petroni is more than just providing a service to your clients. It is the genuine love we give to every single person who walks through the salon doors – hat is why I love coming to work! Every day is memorable working with not only a fabulous team, but also individuals I can honestly call my friends. It makes it never feel like work.
DESCRIBE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF…
A day in the my life is very busy. Sydney is unlike anything I have dealt with before but I have found myself fitting in and adapting to the lifestyle quite quickly. Everyday I work my hardest for myself and love bringing a little bit of fun, love and laughter back into someone day.
"I could tell working a 9 to 5 job just wasn’t going to work for me in the long run. I love people and feel very blessed that I get to connect with my clients on a deeper level every day" - Alana Smith
WHY IS IT SO EXCITING TO WORK WITHIN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW?
So many new things are happening in the industry! It is truly booming. Now is the time to get involved!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE WANTING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN BEAUTY THERAPY?
Go for it! There really is so much diversity in beauty therapy. You will find the area that suits you best, you will never know until you try.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS? DO YOU HAVE AN ULTIMATE CAREER AMBITION?
To be completely honest I don’t at the moment. I work hard everyday and I truly love my job. For a young beauty therapist I have started my career off in the best way possible and im very happy with where I am at. I am excited to embark on this journey and see where it takes me.
MY SIGNATURE BEAUTY GO TOS…
Scent: Chanel
Lipstick: Chanel Rouge
Book: My beauty text book to be honest haha
Blog: Gritty Pretty
Best Kept Secret: If your mascara goes clumpy put eye drops in it!
THE FRENCH EDIT...
City: Sydney
Beauty Muse: Jocelyn Petroni
Drink: Mojito!! or for something more PG I love freshly squeezed orange juice!
Song: The Googoo Dolls – Slide Quote: Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life
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