Student Spotlight - Allana Bruce
Do you want an exciting career working in the hairdressing industry? Courses at Perth College UHI, will help you achieve the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful future career. Our fully-equipped working salon in our fantastic Academy of Sport and Wellbeing (ASW) will enhance your career and employability prospects, by providing you with a realistic working salon experience throughout your course. You are also given the opportunity to unleash your creative potential. In this week’s blog, hairdressing student - Allana - shares some of her amazing coursework ⬇️
What is your name, and where are you from?
Allana Bruce and I am from Perth, Scotland.
What course are you studying at Perth College UHI, and what year are you currently in?
I studied my NVQ Hairdressing level 2 back in 2011 and, unfortunately at the time, never carried on due to family bereavement. Last year, I decided to come back and get my level 3 - so I applied to study Hairdressing SVQ SCQF-6.
What were you doing before you came to college?
I’ve been in and out of the customer service industry - from call centres, to face to face positions.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
From a young age, I have always had a passion for hair. I felt before returning to the industry, that doing my final year to gain more confidence and refresh my previous training was the best way for me to get my foot back in the door.
What is your favourite thing about the course?
I personally loved doing the ‘Develop, enhance and evaluate your creative hairdressing skills’ unit within the course - where we had to create three looks that we wanted to take forward and create as part of our qualification. This allowed me to work out of my comfort zone and create looks that had an Avant-garde look. I was also able to express myself through my creative hairdressing skills.
During the pandemic, how did the style of teaching change? Were your lecturers supportive during this time?
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we had limited salon time and as a class we adapted to more online learning. However, our lecturers gave us the best online learning - which was informative. Due to the limited clientele this year, we were relying on each other in the salon and using our own bubbles.
Has there been any stand out/memorable moments from your course?
I would definitely say my highlight was creating my warrior look.
Have you had a favourite look, that you have had to create, for your portfolio?
Yes, I created a warrior look, and managed to get a really good team together to create my look - exactly how I had envisioned it. I used my dear friend Gemma Campbell, who is a beautiful model, as I knew she would be perfect for my look. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we could not have the annual hair show so I decided to go outdoors and have my model photographed to fit the theme. I was lucky enough to have Mark Ferguson photography agreed to do my shoot. This has also raised my social media profile with contacts made for future photo shoots.
Any other achievements you have gained on your journey?
I was put off returning as a mature student and feel such a great sense of achievement that I done it.
Are the hairdressing facilities, on campus, good?
Yes, the facilities are good at The Retreat salon.
Have you enjoyed studying at Perth College UHI?
Yes, I have enjoyed every part - even the harder days. I’m so glad I came back - you can’t find a better team than lecturers Lorraine, Moira, Brenda and Paula.
What are your plans, for after you finish your course?
I’m not sure where my next move is in the hair industry, but I definitely won’t be putting the tools down 😊
And finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking about studying at Perth College UHI?
Set your mind to it, and you can achieve it.
““To be great champion, you must believe you are the best. If you’re NOT, pretend you are…” ”
