The path to a fulfilling career as a Certified Medical Laser Technician and Certified Professional Esthetician wasn’t always clear to Grace Stephenson.
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“Studying at Blanche allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, to learn not to be nervous and I just fell in love with Esthetics.”
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“I tried going into business. I don’t know why,” she laughs. “I just thought that it was something I was interested in. But I learned that I’m just not a traditional school person. I did not enjoy it. I don’t process things like that. So I lasted maybe a couple of months and then after that, I did a little more research.”
Encouraged by her family, Grace was able to make a quick pivot towards Beauty education.
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“At CüR I’m surrounded by my people, my patients …the community here is amazing. My bosses are amazing. It's just the best. I don't even know how to explain it. I love coming here, it’s just fun and doesn’t feel like work.”
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“I have always been a girly girl, always into makeup and doing my hair. I started getting my nails done when I was 13 and was obsessed with all of it! I love self-care and buying products! It was always a part of me but I never considered it a job. I never thought it was something I could pursue.”
She enrolled in the Global / Medical Esthetics Program at Blanche Macdonald because it offered the variety she was looking for.
“There are so many different parts to the Global / Medical Esthetics program: nails, massage, makeup, and facials. Since I wasn’t sure and liked it all, Esthetics seemed like the best direction. At that point, I didn’t have a favourite, but I knew I wanted to do everything.”
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As the curriculum unfolded, Grace quickly found her favourite. In the hands-on practices of massage and facials, she discovered a deep sense of care and flow, as well as the power of empathy.
“When I started the program, it was just so fun. I discovered that I am a very physical, hands-on learner. I don’t know how to explain it. Helping people, making them feel good…I felt a different part of me come out and I just loved it! All of a sudden I felt like I had so much empathy. I’m super compassionate! I want to help my clients, I want to give them a nice facial and make them feel good. I don’t feel like I’m working, this just feels fun.”
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“The focus on communication and bedside manner at Blanche helped a lot. Now, I am regularly complimented on my empathy and compassion.”
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A special type of camaraderie came out of the close-knit learning environment, allowing Grace to grow and challenge herself.
“You become close friends with many of your classmates and spend a lot of time together. You get personal because you’re practising massage on one another. So it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, to learn not to be nervous and I just fell in love with Esthetics.”
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“Of course everyone needs money. I feel like my education at Blanche set me up to be well-compensated for my work. That’s number one. And number two, I feel completely satisfied when I come to work. I am fulfilled. I can do everything that I want to do. There's nothing that I'm missing.”
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This aspect of the curriculum would help her develop remarkable connections with her patients. “The focus on communication and bedside manner at Blanche helped a lot. Now, I am regularly complimented on my empathy, compassion, and my ability to keep my patients very comfortable.”
After graduating, Grace would go to work at Vancouver Laser, where she cut her teeth and expanded her laser technician skill set.
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Now at CüR, Grace exudes a calm joy when she speaks about her job. “I feel like this is my place,” she smiles. Her days are full of variety and she enjoys autonomy in her work, whether she’s performing quick laser hair removal sessions or spending hours on a CoolSculpting procedure.
Regular tasks involve following up with clients, responding to emails, performing check-ins, and technical tasks like inventory and counting supplies. As a manager, she takes on additional responsibilities but enjoys the flexibility to focus on patient education and care, which is her passion. Days filled with treatments begin with coffee and turning on the lasers before diving in.
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“Helping people, making them feel good…I felt a different part of me come out and I just loved it! All of a sudden I felt like I had so much empathy.”
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“As a specialized laser technician, I have my own patients. I have such a good rapport with them. It’s so cute, they email me, ask how I’m doing…it’s a relationship I didn’t have at my other jobs. I love my time here and my patients can really feel that energy. I’m surrounded by my people, my patients …the community here is amazing. My bosses are amazing. It’s just the best. I don’t even know how to explain it. I love coming here, it’s just fun and doesn’t feel like work.”
While still in the early years of her career, Grace feels that she is already experiencing success as the perfect balance of financial growth and professional fulfilment.
“Especially working at CüR … of course everyone needs money. I feel like my education at Blanche and the laser technician course set me up to be well-compensated for my work. That’s number one. And number two, I feel completely satisfied when I come to work. I am fulfilled. I can do everything that I want to do. There’s nothing that I’m missing. I feel like I’m good.”
