For Jess Callahan, finding a career she loved didn’t mean moving away from home. It meant finding the right opportunity close to home.
After finishing Year 12 in Sale, Jess wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to do next. With a university offer left unanswered and uncertainty creeping in, an ad for beauty therapy caught her eye.
Her thought? Why not give it a go?
TAFE Gippsland stood out because it allowed Jess to stay at home while exploring a career she was curious about. As it turns out, she found exactly what she was looking for and has now graduated with her Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy.
“Studying at TAFE Gippsland had so many highlights for me,” Jess said.
“The teachers are amazing, they are really understanding and helpful. I also loved the group of girls I studied with, we had so much fun together.”
For Jess, studying beauty therapy was about more than learning treatments. It was an opportunity to build industry skills, make connections and discover a career where she could make a genuine difference to how people feel.
Beauty therapy encompasses everything from massages and facials to brows and nails. While some clients might visit for a little indulgence, for others, beauty treatments can play an important role in helping them feel confident and comfortable in themselves.
That’s something Jess takes seriously.
“It’s important to be confident towards clients in order for them to feel relaxed and have trust in us,” she said.
“I love building relationships with different people. It is very rewarding to know that I make people feel good about themselves and I get to provide a positive experience for them.”
Jess also gained valuable industry experience while studying, working at 7 Oaks Beauty Lounge for the final six months of her course.
Now that she’s graduated, she plans to keep building her experience, growing her client base and developing her skills.
“I feel very fortunate to have been working in the industry at 7 Oaks Beauty Lounge for the past six months of my course, so I want to keep gaining experience and become confident and skilled as I keep growing in the industry,” Jess said.
And when it comes to her top beauty tip, Jess’s advice is simple: invest in yourself.
“My beauty tip would be to invest in yourself and your skin! Learn about yourself and what makes you feel good, book that facial or brow appointment, do things that make you feel and look good.”
For Jess, choosing to try something new after Year 12 has opened the door to a career she genuinely enjoys – right here in Gippsland.
Ready to invest in your future? Explore beauty courses at TAFE Gippsland.