Esty Educator Newsletter

How important do you think soft skills are to a professional's success, and how many hours are you allowed to devote to soft skills in your curriculum? It's a hard balance—teaching the core curriculum requirements, while also giving students enough time to work on business acumen, client communication skills, professionalism, role-playing exercises, and critical-thinking practice . . . all things necessary to be successful in the real world.

Critical thinking was highest on the list of missing soft skills, according to the respondents. Says one clinic owner: "Treatment planning and clinical reasoning are underdeveloped. New graduates can often execute a technique but struggle to think through what a particular client needs and why. Moving from protocol execution to individualized care is a significant gap."

While a lack of soft skills was mentioned by all but a few of the employers surveyed, several also pointed out some even more fundamental misses. Interestingly, about 12 percent of the survey respondents listed "timing" as a specific deficit they see in new hires. The complaint centers around these new professionals not knowing how to manage session time, running either long or short. Student clinic work is the best training ground for these real-world issues, giving students an opportunity to practice in a variety of scenarios. Do you optimize your clinic experiences?

One educator is hopeful that schools can find ways to adjust: "I think we need to move away from a strategy of content dumping in schools and work on developing more innovative clinical reasoning teaching strategies." What that looks like is the million dollar question.

Student clinic time, these employers say, is the best training ground. More role-playing, more real-world client communication focus, and more hands-on practice are what employers are looking to the schools for as they train these up-and-coming professionals. Can schools meet the need?

FAQ

What is missing from new skin care grads' skill sets? This is what employers say:

• Critical thinking/clinical reasoning
• Professionalism (showing up late, unprepared, lacking personal responsibility, etc.)
• Client communication skills (from intakes to treatment recommendations)
• Time management in session
• Sales skills (rebooking, retail, session add-ons)

Starting originally as the school's director of education, Woodsom has traversed many roles with Empire over the years, and today is an Instructor Motivator in the esthetics program at the Laconia campus. She came to Empire with a bachelor's degree in organizational management and a minor in early education, along with many years teaching in elementary education.

Supplementing teaching over the years with a private practice and/or med spa work has ensured that Woodsom stays current on trends and new technologies and protocols. Today, her business, Skin Deep Advanced Clinical Skincare, is where she does advanced treatments. "I do a lot of machine work, devices and things like that; microdermabrasion, ultrasonic facials, chemical peels, dermaplane, etc."

Woodsom has always seen private practice as critical to her continuing education and her authority in the classroom. "I think it makes you more credible when you're in the industry. If you've had your hand in it, then when the questions come up, you can answer them a little bit more confidently."

But teaching is what Woodsom loves most: "I love to share what I know." What does she think makes her so impactful? "Classroom management is a big piece—that will earn you respect in the classroom. And setting boundaries with the students. But most of all having fun." Fun, she says, is important because no one wants to come to school when "it's a drag."

What is most fulfilling for her as an educator? "Watching students grow and succeed in the industry. Inspiring them. And knowing that just this short period of time together can change their lives," she says.

One of Woodsom's former students had this to say about her instructor: "I had never experienced a more passionate, caring, or personable instructor than Mrs. Donna. With every lesson she taught, she showed a true passion for making it easier to grasp and encouraged us all to become excited about the curriculum as well. Mrs. Donna makes herself available to her students long after graduation and sets her students up for success and professionalism to enter the spa industry confidently, knowing product knowledge, sanitization guidelines, and state regulations. I believe Mrs. Donna, after a lifetime of dedication to her students' educations and careers, is incredibly deserving of this award."

As a veteran educator, Woodsom is also inspiring others to pursue a career in education. Says one student in their nominating entry: "As a student under Donna, she made me feel comfortable enough to consider teaching. Donna was, and still is, an incredible instructor. She made such an impact on me personally that she has inspired me to become an instructor and follow in her footsteps. I hope that one day, I can be as inspiring to students as Donna was to me."

If Woodsom could offer a bit of advice for new educators it would be not to wing it. "If there's something you're unsure of or don't feel confident in—perfect it. Research it and perfect it, practice it, because students will know right off the bat whether you're credible or not."

With all the nominations for instructors that came in from around the country, what set Woodsom apart? The selection committee says it was comments like these: "Mrs. Donna is one of a kind and true treasure to have as an instructor. She has had many years of experience in the industry and strives to rise up the new generation of estheticians. She is a hardworking and passionate woman dedicated to giving her students the best learning atmosphere and tools they can have. Truly an icon!"