Monday, June 21, 2010

A Beauty Academy Success Story: Isabel P. Picard


I was twenty years old when all that could go wrong in my life did. Work, studies, boyfriend. It was like I had stepped into a warp zone. The boyfriend was gone; I quit my job after my boss had threatened to fire me if I did not make the sales quota every month and I quit cegep 8 weeks before receiving my diploma. Yes, my diploma. As in: I threw it all away 8 weeks before getting the paper I studied for for 3 years.

My parents wanted me in school or at work full time and since I was living at home and had just quit school, I had to find a new full-time job. I worked at the airport collecting airport improvement fees (November 1997). People called me a thief, threw their credit card at me, asked if I wasn't ashamed of doing this type of work. It wasn't too long before I realized that there was no way I was going to stay at a job like this for years. I knew I had to get back in school if I wanted to be able to get a job I enjoyed. I looked at what I had (almost) completed: studies in tourism, then (almost) graduated in litterature and communication. My part-time work experiences had always been in customer service. That's what I knew best and knew I was good at.

I asked myself questions like: what do I like doing?; what are my passions?; what do I see myself doing for years on end?; what have I always liked? And the answer came. I started wearing lipstick when I was in elementary school, grade 2 to be precise. Not a cute translucent lip smacker, but rather a deep, rich purple Wet & Wild lipstick. My teacher had called my mom to ask if she knew her eight-year-old was wearing purple lipcolour to school. Yes, she knew. I wore kohl eyeliner pencil in the third grade. I accompanied my mother every time she went to the esthetician's. She would pretend to wax my toes. She gave me a quick facial cleansing and massage while my mom would have her mask on during a facial. I loved going there. Her work space was always clean, well decorated and the place was filled with creams and make-up. How far could it be from heaven? I'm still convinced I was the only student who wore a day cream to school in grade 6. My friends in high school were surprised that my mother allowed I wear eye shadow on a regular basis.

I grew up watching my mother applying her makeup. To this day, she doesn't leave the house without her earrings and lipstick. I was a toddler when I started giving my grandmother makeovers and pedicures (read: painting her face with any possible colour cosmetic I found and putting Noxema in thick layers on her feet and legs and massaging until it completely absorbed). After taking all these memories into consideration, I realized esthetics would most likely be an excellent fit for me. I gathered all the information I could find. I checked out private schools and public schools. I didn't have the money to go to private schools and I wasn't convinced that a shorter program was the way to go for me. I discovered a public school in my West Island neighborhood was offering the program. I went to visit Gordon Robertson in June 1998 and met with one of my teachers who showed me the classroom; the facial room; manicure/pedicure area and she sat down with me to explain the program. It wasn't all creams and lipstick. I actually had to study and learn about the human body; cosmetology and interactions with the skin. I was ready for the challenge and started classes in September.


The year flew by. I had two great teachers who were passionate about esthetics and their work. They had their students' success at heart. I remember that some classmates had major issues with touching other people's feet and I thought: "What on Earth are you doing in this classroom, then? Did you think you'd learn how to put on makeup and that would be it?" After all, esthetics is not always fancy, pretty and all things beautiful. The esthetician works very closely to her clients and comes across a variety of infections, skin conditions, not fresh-from-the-dryer underwear and smelly feet. But there is always surgical gloves, fragranced baby powder and a great foot soak to save the day! On the other hand, not all days are filled with horror tales either.

My pet peeve was sales. Although I could recommend and suggest products with ease, going through the actual sales process was a real pain for me. That is the class which gave me the most grief. Like anyone who's working towards a goal, I was anxious to get there and actually start working in a salon however; the year didn't seem long. The closer I was to the end of the program, the more I knew I was on the right path. I studied and graduated with very satisfying grades.

I worked for a year and a half as an esthetician in a salon while I also completed my certification in electrolysis. I truly liked the contact with clients. I developped a friendship with some of them and it was very flattering to know that some would specifically ask for me when making their appointment. I had kept in touch with one of my teachers and one night in March 2000, she called me up. She had heard of a Canadian cosmetic manufacturer who was looking for a training manager. She thought of me for the position.

I celebrated my 10th year anniversary at Groupe Marcelle this spring. So I don't give many pedicures any more and I haven't had a facial in so long I can't even put a date on it. But I still get my waxing done and always have pedicured toes. I'm still fascinated with creams, lotions and colourful makeup. Lipsticks and emulsions are my daily companions. I no longer work as an esthetician, but my diploma is put to good use every day in a work environment that is very close to what I studied for.

I love my work and I'm always proud to say that I'm a certified esthetician. A big thank you to Micheline and Johanne for believing in me and giving this profession its nobility.

Isabel P. Picard

Monday, May 3, 2010

My Aesthetic Experience
By: Emilie Aumond, Aesthetician

I began this wonderful journey in the fall of 2008. Everything about this school seemed exciting; all the students were ready to embark on what could be the career of a lifetime. I was in a class with peers that were so eager to learn and teachers who couldn’t wait to feed our hungry brains. When I started this course, I thought it would be a breeze. I mean how hard could applying polish, massaging, or waxing someone be? Well I was in for a small surprise, we had to learn everything from body systems to interactions with your client. There was a lot of material to go through, although it seemed to go by in a flash. Our teachers made sure that the assignments given were interactive and they always had great stories of experience from the field. After my first observation stage I was so excited to start working.

The stage had validated my decision of joining the world of aesthetics; I knew this is what I wanted to do. I started working part-time while I was at school which helped me gain some much needed experience. By the end of my course, I had made some amazing new friends and learned more things than I thought I would.
In the fall of 2009 I was approached by one of my teachers to enter into an aesthetic competition where I was to perform a basic facial, a waxing, a manicure and a makeup treatment. Any free time my teacher and I had, we would practice for the competition. It was a lot of hard work and took much dedication but it definitely paid off.

In February 2010 I competed against six other talented girls in the above mentioned disciplines. It was such a great experience seeing the different methods and techniques used by others. It was so great to be surrounded by others girls who love what they do as much as I do. We were all invited to a gala three weeks later to find out the results of our efforts. So many trades were represented at this gala and all the winners were announced. When my name was called for the gold medal I could not have been more ecstatic!

I am now three days away from representing the region of Montreal at the provincial aesthetic competition. I must say I am a little bit nervous although I would not have it any other way. I love everything about what I do and I have a chance to represent this. I would not have imagined that any of this was possible when I first started less than two years ago. When you love what you do and when you have the drive; not to mention an amazing teacher and support system backing you, anything is possible!EA

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

GOLD MEDAL for the GORDON ROBERTSON BEAUTY ACADEMY






WINNER: Emilie Aumond

Quebec Skills Competition:
The biggest professional and technical training event in Quebec


Inspired by the well known Olympics sporting formula the goal of this career and technical competition is to showcase and promote career and technical training. The medalists from each of the various competition levels come to symbolize the VERY best of their particular discipline.

The Olympics chain starts in training centers and colleges. The best students from each institution then go onto compete in regional competitions. The winners from each region have access to Olympics Quebec which unites more than 250 finalists in over 30 disciplines in competition. A few of these diverse and exciting career categories are landscaping, electricity, fashion technology, computer graphics, carpentry, cooking, industrial and auto mechanics, hairdressing and of course esthetics.

More than just a competition, the Quebec Skills Competition brings to the forefront the talent, competence and know-how acquired by young people in their learning.







On March 10th 2010 at Pius X Culinary training institute, Emilie Aumond representing the Gordon Robertson Career Centre was awarded the regional gold medal in esthetics. This competition included students from the 4 major Montreal school boards. The candidates were required to perform a basic facial, manicure, waxing treatment and make-up service. All four disciplines were evaluated to determine the BEST in overall achievement. Emilie will now represent the Island of Montreal in the Quebec Olympics competition taking place May 2010.

This is the second time that Gordon Robertson has represented the Island of Montreal at the provincial level in the field of esthetics. Everyone is thrilled with the possibility of bringing home another provincial GOLD medal. We wish Emilie the best of luck for the next round of competitions.
The first Quebec Skills Competition was held in 1992 at Expocité in Old Quebec City. Since the first edition of the event, thousands of competitors have participated in the local, regional and provincial Olympiad competitions. Over 150 vocational training centers and colleges have contributed to the success of recent editions of this event, and some 400 industry experts have assisted in the staging of competitions.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

BEAUTY ACADEMY AT THE GORDON ROBERTSON CAREER CENTRE

Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy (GRBA) is a career training centre for students who want to explore the world of Esthetics, Hairdressing or Electrolysis. All of our program can be completed within one year to fourteen months. Intensive full time day or part time night classes are available to meet a variety of student needs.
When you walk into our building, you may mistake it for a salon. Our modern hairdressing & esthetic facilities provide students with the latest equipment and all of the conveniences they can expect from a progressive learning environment. Classes are blended and include theory and hands on learning. All students go through a work placement program (stage) where they can use their skills in a real world environment before setting out on their career path.

GRBA is located in the West Island in the city of Beaconsfield. We’re just off Highway 20. Students find our centre easy to access by public transport and appreciate our free parking area.  The surrounding community is vibrant and offers fun and relaxing places for students to unwind between classes.
Please visit our website:
http://lbpce.ca/centers/gordon-robertson-beauty-academy/