A degree in spa management?

[laurakate]

Would taking a degree in spa management make me a better teacher? I ultimately want to teach beauty in a college but I'm wondering if a higher level of education would make me more of a competitor (I hear it's tough to get into teaching).

I have a degree already and I'm not sure that I want to actually be in a management position (at least not anytime soon!!) but all the same I'm wondering if it would be worth doing a spa management degree just so I have it under my belt and hopefully open more doors regarding employment in this industry in general.

I want to do the Fda in Spa Management at Derby University. Whether I take it up will depend on whether I can do the Elemis training (I seek to do the course online so this has not been determined yet) and whether I think I can afford it.

I'm not expecting to make a lot more money that I currently do now from doing this degree (I currently make a smidge more than nmw!). I guess I'm wanting to know if it will open more doors to me in the beauty industry throughout my career or if experience is more/just as valuable.

Hope yas can offer some insight

 

[SpaGirl-Sophie]

Hi,

I have done the bsc in spa management and from working with the fda spa management when at the university of derby I could not recommend it enough. It is great. I feel it has given me the knowledge of not only management technqiues such as finance, marketing, hrm etc but also the knowledge of the spa industry which no college teaches. The university has a lot of links within the industry and a lot of contacts.

I personally also think that the degree gives you something over others when applying for jobs. Its not only very unique it shows that you have drive and a real interest (most employers will be very interested in meeting you because of it and then you can sell youself in interviews)

I know that usually fda in management do not do elemis training usually its only the therapies route so fingers crossed if they let you do it.

From my own experience the knowledge and experience the course has given me has allowed me to open my own spa!!

Good luck and if you have anymore questions feel free to pm me xxx

 

[laurakate]

Hi,

I have done the bsc in spa management and from working with the fda spa management when at the university of derby I could not recommend it enough. It is great. I feel it has given me the knowledge of not only management technqiues such as finance, marketing, hrm etc but also the knowledge of the spa industry which no college teaches. The university has a lot of links within the industry and a lot of contacts.

I personally also think that the degree gives you something over others when applying for jobs. Its not only very unique it shows that you have drive and a real interest (most employers will be very interested in meeting you because of it and then you can sell youself in interviews)

I know that usually fda in management do not do elemis training usually its only the therapies route so fingers crossed if they let you do it.

From my own experience the knowledge and experience the course has given me has allowed me to open my own spa!!

Good luck and if you have anymore questions feel free to pm me xxx

Thanks for your reply

Someone told me that having worked on a cruise ship makes you very appealing as a therapist so it's nice to know that this degree could open the same doors in that respect.

Sure hope I can do the Elemis training. That's one of the key reasons as to why I want to do it. If this weren't an option I wouldn't be as keen. So is the therapies route only an option on the Bsc? Can you do that distance learning if you're working in a spa already?

The course leader for the online Fda is going to find out for me if I can do the Elemis training as an online student. I'm a leetle bit anxious because the deadline to apply is August 31st :-$ so I hope I can get all the info I need to be able to make an informed decision.

Did you get to do all of the Elemis training? How many separate Elemis training courses can you do?

 

[laurakate]

Another thought. Because this will be my second undergrad degree (and third degree overall if you count my masters degree) and it will be classed as part time, I will probably not get funding and will have to pay for it all myself. I'm just wondering what would help me more: spending money on a degree because I want to kudos and the Elemis training or spending money on more practical courses as I go along.

Hmmmmm.....

 

[Beansy]

Ok, stick with me on this...

I also work as a management consultant and have literally spent the last two days doing back to back interviews. I had a total of 7 posts to offer at two levels, one at qualified social worker level and the other at NVQ 3 in social care.

I had a significant number of (newly) qualified social workers apply for the more junior post. On paper you'd expect them to be the ones that would shine. It wasn't. The two people that stood out didn't fit the mould. One was a nurse and the other was a play worker. They stood out because they were dynamic, creative and they showed an ability to think in a different way. My point being that just because someone has a piece of paper doesn't mean they are at any greater advantage (unless it's an essential criteria, which my guess would be that very few stipulate a spa management degree). Once you've been short listed, it's all about your performance at interview and very rarely (at this stage) is a decision to appoint based on what qualifications someone has.

You have transferable skills that you need to demonstrate and the fact that you have already got your Masters shows you can work at a particular level. With this in mind plus you'd have to self fund, I'd question the impact this would make on your career.

Sorry for looooong essay, can't sleep.....

 

[laurakate]

Thanks Beansy.

I've definately done a lot of academic stuff and I guess in that respect, I've already shown an ability to cope with that level of study.

I guess one of the main reasons I want to do that course is to get the elemis training which I believe will help me overall with it being such a recognised brand.

But hmmmm, the cost of the degree is such that I could put that money towards a lot of other training courses (got a to do list in this respect...shellac, lash perfect to name just a few!) and quite a few other things too!

What do yas reckon? I know it's ultimately up to me but I guess what I want to achieve is to be a good therapist in order that I can compete for the best opportunities and then ultimately, a teaching position.

 

[kingham]

Hi LauraKate!I am currently studying at the University of Derby doing the BSc International Spa Management! I have a few years industry experience & aspire to one day have my own Spa, but was unsure how to get there. The degree was introduced to me at college and after I'd qualified from college it took me a couple of years to decide on if I had the courage to do it! I would recommend going to the open days as that really helped me make my decision, you will get to see the spa facilities and meet some of the lecturers. I'm not sure about the foundation option, but if you chose the BSc the Elemis training is part of you're specialised massage tecniques module, and you also work in the Spa at the Dome to gain commercial experience and you can also apply to manage in the Spa whilst doing your degree too!
In regards to opening more doors for you, recently spa managment recruitment adverts are including that a spa management degree would be advantageous, so it certainly would work in your favour! Elemis training is always a bonus too, I work for Elemis (retail) part time whilst at uni, the degree is held in high regard to them!
I hope I've helped! The University are very good with support and advice so do not hesitate to contact them if you have any questions
Good luck!

 

[hippy-chick]

why not seek out a job that uses elemis and go on the training with them. you will gain experience on the shopfloor that way also.

how much hands on experience have you got to go on your CV. If I was going to employ someone as a therapist or a teacher I would be looking at how much real experience they have with clients rather than how many hours they've sat in a classroom talking about it.

I've worked at a spa and the managers had either worked at a spa abroad or worked on the cruise ships.

 

[RedAdmiral]

Get out there and work in your industry, work your way up (not necessarily as a manager if you don't want to do it) and then teach.
Not everyone can teach but if you have the passion theres no stopping you!

I'm the Queen of the Qualification and I initially got excited at the sound of the BSc but why? will it increase my pay? will it help me teach? will it help me with my clients... no? You are soo well qualified already - what do you expect to learn? Have more confidence in your abilities. Nothing gets you ahead quicker than a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Good Luck with Elemis

 

[geekyteachy]

Hi,
I have another thought for you... I am a full time lecture in a very large college, and i have found my B.A. Education is the degree that got me noticed!

As you have rightly said it is very difficult to get into teaching with all the funding cuts and i did this degree whilst teaching beauty therapy full time and kept my job through the colleges mass redundancies twice. I am not saying this is all down to a degree in education, however it was said that comitment to education was a great asset. I did orginally look at the spa mangement degree, but was adviced by the college this education degree would be more benefical. (I also have a degree in an unrelated subject).

Hope it helps?

 

[Pinkbunny28]

I think because you already have a degree and have proved you are able to work at that sort of level, you don't really need to do it and finding a job that will offer you elemis training would be more beneficial for you at this stage.

Having said that I'm studying salon management and it was the best option for me. I don't know how I'll fare in getting a job out of it but I'm in my final year and wanted it more to work for myself anyway. I've definitely learnt a lot along the way and I'm really glad I'm doing it but its nothing compared to actual salon experience. I also work mobile and have worked in a salon and spas but I much prefer working for myself. My mobile work is a) to keep my skills up and b) so I can afford pretty things with my stupidly expensive taste.
My aim is to open my own salon in the not too distant future

If you want any more info from me feel free to pm me. Good luck with what you choose x

 

[RedAdmiral]

i have found my B.A. Education is the degree that got me noticed!

Apologies for not saying this also as I have a B.Ed....one negative: I was constantly tailoring my essays and dissertation to fit the beauty industry as it is really a course for primary school teachers.
I still wonder why you would like to do 3more years in school when that could be 3 years earning and getting experience when fees are astronomical right now?

 

[geekyteachy]

Apologies for not saying this also as I have a B.Ed....one negative: I was constantly tailoring my essays and dissertation to fit the beauty industry as it is really a course for primary school teachers.

I still wonder why you would like to do 3more years in school when that could be 3 years earning and getting experience when fees are astronomical right now?

Hi, I didnt find this course was taylored to primary school teachers as the majority of the learners were further education tutors like myself. Obviously as i was working full time teaching i clearly was earning thanks!
A primary tutor only needs a subject degree and a pgse. To teach further education, you only need a level 3 qual in your feild and a cert ed. The ba ed is aimed at giving fe tutors a full degree to bring them inline with the ifl-institute for learners qts-qualified teacher status. At present fe lectures can only aim frt qtls qualified teacher and lecturer status which does not have the same recognition.

My college clearly believed it was relevant as they funded the course! I dont think they would have done this for a course with no relevance aimed at primary school teachers!

Sorry to get upset, but i was just replying as a lecturer, about my personal expierences.:cry:

 

[RedAdmiral]

A degree in Education covers a broad range of topics and is ideal for Primary school teaching as they do not need as specific subject which secondary teachers require. Both go on to do the Post Graduate Certificate afterwards. To teach in Sixth form college (NVQ Beauty) or FE College you do not require this.
There are such few degree courses at university that are aimed at general education practices yet this may differ from institute to institute. I have completed as many educational qualifications as possible as a Technician before returning to university. Geekyteachy you are lucky to have sat in classes with other students like yourself and that your got to talk about the industry but my experience does differ to yours.

I am not sure why you have gotten upset and have a crying face at all. I went whole hog - 3years of university full time, whilst continuing to teach part-time. I have QTS and London Weighting but I cannot agree that 3 yrs talking about the history of Education, small children, teenagers and the White Papers is what the poster needs when she clearly is extremely intelligent and already has a degree and masters. This was my first degree as I was only at level 4 on the NQF the poster is at level 7!!

I am not arguing or trying to upset you. I wrote my dissertation on the NQF and the differing qualifications.