Sophie Steel has made the most of being a Southland local where she could train and utilise the SIT Zero Fees Scheme, to successfully establish her hairdressing career.
It was the SIT Zero Fees Scheme Sophie found “very inviting” in deciding to train through SIT. Prior to enrolling at SIT, she was in her final year at Southland Girls High School, graduating in 2021. “I already had my foot in the door of the hairdressing industry as I was working part-time at Venom Hair Salon, which I’m still working at three years later,” she said.
After graduating high school Sophie entered the hairdressing industry as a salon assistant. “I fell in love with the energy and passion that flowed through the hair salon,” she says. This sparked her interest in looking into further study, which led her to enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing. “When I showed an interest in studying hairdressing at my salon, I was provided with information about the hairdressing course SIT delivers.”
Sophie says she went into the course without any expectations. “I have had friends and family study hairdressing at SIT, so I already had a good idea of the facilities they have to offer.” She had been a client for SIT hairdressing students as well.
In the New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing, Sophie learnt the fundamentals of hairdressing, customer service, colouring and hairstyling. “A jam-packed three years of hands-on learning and support has guided me into an emerging stylist in the industry,” she says.
Sophie believes the most valuable lesson learnt from her time studying was the importance of understanding the theory behind all hairdressing services; she continues to utilise the knowledge she learnt over the years at SIT in her career in the industry. “The support and information provided to give in-depth explanations behind the theory, I believe was done particularly well at SIT,” Sophie added. Another aspect Sophie appreciated were the connections with tutors and classmates made throughout the course. “The tutors care about creating a safe space for students and show their passion for the craft.”
Sophie enjoyed student life and the community environment that the SIT campus provided for all students. “Throughout the year they provide a variety of activities and awareness weeks which bring together students from all over the campus.”
A special highlight of Sophie’s hairdressing career so far was receiving the First Place in Class Award – Salon Support 2022, in her first year of study. “That was a very proud moment for me,” she said.
Sophie had a personal challenge of feeling anxious about not completing assignments on time, and underestimating her ability to manage her time. “I quickly navigated those negative emotions by thoroughly planning my assessments and future client days effectively, which helped me achieve my assessments on time.”
Currently a third-year apprentice at Venom, Sophie is getting closer to becoming a fully qualified stylist. “I still attend class at SIT once a fortnight as an apprentice in my final year.” She is hands-on working in the salon, with all things hair colouring, styling, and learning new cutting techniques daily. “I look forward to getting into the salon every day as I am seeing my development and growth as a stylist. I am driven by making people feel good in my chair.”
Looking ahead, Sophie says completing the certificate in hairdressing and becoming a qualified stylist working in the industry is a highly important goal for her. “Looking back on my career so far, I’m grateful for the opportunities I have experienced at SIT and within the hairdressing industry. I’m excited to see where the qualification takes me in the future as the possibilities are endless.”
“Studying at SIT has shaped me into a stylist who has a deeper understanding of supporting stylists in a salon and developed my communication skills for a salon environment.”