When did you leave Chesterton Community College?

I left in 2010.

What is your current job title or field?

I’m a hairdresser / salon owner.

Did you know as a teenager which career you wanted to pursue or did you come to realise this later on?

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school. I always loved dancing but that wasn’t something I could see myself doing careerwise. I was already a ‘Saturday girl’ in a well-known Cambridge salon while I was still at school. There is where I started to love the ambience of salon life and meeting new people every day.

How did you start on your career?

I was offered an apprenticeship there, which was very rare to be asked as you would always have to apply first, so they must have seen something within me! After three years I finished my apprenticeship. I got headhunted by another salon in Cambridge to become part of their growing team.
Here is where I spent 15 years dedicated to my craft and learning as much as I could.
I finally took the leap when I found a perfect space to open my own private studio and become my own boss. Six months down the line I have an ever-growing clientele and a waitlist of 8-10 weeks for an appointment with myself.

What do you like about your job? High points?

The opportunities in the hair industry are endless, from being an educator to selling courses on social media. This is what I love about it: if you ever feel bored there’s another avenue you could explore.

What is the first advice you would give a student wanting to follow in this direction?

My advice if someone is thinking about going down this route is to be strong through the hard times – the hair industry is tough and not many people realise this and have a shock when they see what actually it entails. There’s been many a time when I’ve felt like giving up but actually those are the times when you learn the most. My second piece of advice would be to work in a big up-and-coming salon. Spend time watching and absorbing as much information you can and LISTEN to your clients!