Awarded Top Practical Student in her class, New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) 2019 graduate, Danielle Huntington did exceptionally well in the course she completed in just under a year.
“I also achieved an internationally recognised qualification in the beauty therapy industry, the ITEC Diploma for Beauty Specialist (Level 2) with Distinction. The ITEC qualification was an option for all students to strive for through SIT while studying Beauty Therapy at the SIT campus,” she says.
Danielle and her family moved to New Zealand from England when she was young.
They moved around the North and South Island before settling in Alexandra, where Danielle attended Clyde Primary School before attending Dunstan High School in Alexandra from year 9 – year 11 and then moving to Timaru to attend Timaru Girls' High School for year 12.
“I then completed my final year, year 13, at Dunstan High School before deciding on which career field I wanted to pursue in tertiary education,” says Danielle.
After completing her final high school year, she was accepted into SIT.
“Studying Beauty Therapy at SIT was my first year of tertiary education and SIT was my first choice of polytechnic to develop skills, knowledge and techniques in a variety of beauty aspects to prepare me for the work industry.’’
After hearing about SIT from family and friends and listening to speakers from Careers Advisors at Dunstan High School, Danielle made up her mind to complete her studies at the Invercargill campus.
“Teachers talked to all students about the options of further education in a tertiary school, including what SIT had to offer,” she says.
“I then researched online for further information about the campus at SIT and the course options on the SIT website online.”
SIT lived up to the expectations Danielle had before studying at the campus as the tutors supported and guided all students during the course, she says.
“The knowledge I gained exceeded my expectations and covered more topics and units than I initially expected, which has given me endless possibilities of which direction I would like to take my qualification in.
“Nearing the end of the course, tutors helped with job opportunities and connections to give students further opportunities to take their knowledge and skills into the beauty therapy industry.”
Danielle says the facilities at SIT were at an exceptional standard for students to learn in as they were easily accessible, with plenty of work space to carry out treatments and organised with all materials needed to perform practical tasks.
“The facilities were clean, tidy and we were able to use good quality, professional products to train with. An in-depth knowledge was given to us to understand the reasons behind treatments.
“At the beginning of each topic, we were given a kit of products and materials to practice treatments at home and to keep at the end of the course for our own personal use.
“Every step of the way, we were supported, guided and motivated by the tutors to encourage us to do our very best all the way through the course.”
Throughout the course, activities and opportunities were given to students, including a trip to Dunedin to visit the Anatomy Museum at the University of Otago to provide them with further knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, Danielle says.
“Our class was invited to be at the Career Fest Southland Expo to talk to High School students about the Beauty Therapy course and what the course had to offer for students.
“After practical classes, we were able to give to the community at the Calvary Hospital Southland by visiting and inviting them to the beauty salon at SIT campus for hand massages and manicures/pedicures.”
Students also participated in the Chrysalis Graduate Fashion Showcase, creating and applying make-up for the models in the show.
“By studying at SIT, I learnt different ways to deal with difficult situations with clients and students in a professional manner. I became more mature with the challenges I was faced with, gained confidence in myself and improved my communication skills.”
Danielle is currently working part-time as a beautician in a local Invercargill beauty salon while undertaking further study at SIT.
“This is a temporary position to fill in for another beautician on leave and has given me the opportunity for work experience in the industry and demonstrate my skills and abilities, while also having the possibility to improve techniques and gain knowledge about other products and treatments offered in the beauty therapy industry,” she says.
“In five years-time, I hope to own and manage a profitable Beauty Salon to become a successful and reputable business. I would hope to gain more knowledge and experience to be able to fulfil this dream by traveling overseas, as I can take this qualification all around the world; this would help me to further develop my abilities to perform beauty therapy techniques from different countries and cultures.”