NIC’s Esthetician Program

Student puts best face forward. Story and Photos by Tom Greene.

Jami Hornby didn’t expect it to be this fast.

In May 2014, the recent graduate of North Idaho College’s Esthetician program decided to put her resume out there – only one – and apply at Advanced Aesthetics in Coeur d’Alene. She scored an interview and, after an in-depth hiring process, landed her dream job.

“I wanted to do this a long time ago,” Hornby said. “I was drawn to this field because I like helping people feel better about themselves. People come here for fun – for something special – and it’s nice to be able to facilitate that.”

Like most U.S. workers, Hornby has had several careers in her lifetime, including motherhood. After having children, she decided to take the leap and enroll in the 600-hour Esthetician program at the NIC Workforce Training Center. She said she was pleasantly surprised at the small classes, which allowed her more one-on-one time with an instructor with vast experience. “Having Janette as an instructor was amazing,” Hornby said. “She’s been an esthetician for a long time and genuinely cares about her students.”

Esthetics is a broad field. NIC’s Esthetician program prepares students for licensure and careers such as skin care specialist, spa professional, salon owner, makeup artist, body treatment technician, product representative, retail specialist and more. According to Idaho Department of Labor statistics, job demand for skin care specialists in North Idaho is projected to grow by 50 percent between 2010 and 2020.

An integral part of the esthetician course is hands on experience. The Cardinal Spa at the NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls provides a comprehensive line of skin care services performed by supervised esthetician students. Students have the opportunity to practice techniques such as facials, waxing, microdermabrasion, microcurrent, chemical peels, makeup and spray tanning. Services are open to the public at attractive prices.

“Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, age and experience,” said Janette Watson, NIC’s Esthetician instructor. “Watching them grow and build their skills, confidence and enthusiasm for the career is very rewarding.”

In her current job, Hornby taps into all the skills she picked up in the Esthetician program. She obtained her esthetician license in both Idaho and Washington and works with Dr. Kevin Johnson whose practice, with offices in both states, uses the latest technologies available for facial and skin rejuvenation treatments, body contouring and cosmetic surgery.

Hornby has now set her sights on earning a master’s esthetician license.

“This is it,” she said of her new career. “I feel like it’s just a good fit.”

Want to join the beauty industry?

North Idaho College Workforce Training Center offers Esthetician (skin care specialist) and Nail Technician programs. The fall Esthetician program is in session; the Nail Technician program begins Sept. 22. An information session on the Nail Technician program will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. An Esthetician information session will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, for students interested in the spring 2015 course. The Cardinal Spa student skin care clinic opens Sept. 8. More information on these programs can be found at www.nic.edu/skincare or by calling (208) 769-3333.

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