More than a dozen cosmetology industry businesses recruited prospective new employees at the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center – Albany Campus on Monday.
The salons, beauty supply industry providers and other entities met with nearly 100 area juniors and seniors enrolled in the Career & Technical School’s Cosmetology program on the Albany campus, recruiting the students and educating them on the opportunities that exist in the industry.
“Being a BOCES graduate myself, I like that BOCES is doing this and helping students get a better understanding of all the different opportunities that are out there for them,” said Sonia Chamberlain, of Hair Studio One in Glenmont.
Melanie Silveri of Burmax said the students were well-prepared for the opportunities afforded them at the career fair.
“The questions the students were asking are definitely the questions they need to ask when planning a career, questions about health insurance and 401Ks,” she said.
Students taking part in the third annual cosmetology industry-specific career fair hosted by BOCES said they appreciated the opportunities and education it afforded them. “The career fair is very informative. I like it a lot,” said Abigail Porter, a junior in the Cosmetology program from Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk.
Classmate Geoffrey Weidman concurred.
“There are a lot of great opportunities here. The businesses are very helpful,” the junior said.
Meanwhile Cosmetology program senior Allison Schulmerich took on a different role in her second year of attending the career fair—that of industry ambassador.
Schulermich, who attends the program from Niskayuna, was hired at Tracey’s Hair Salon in Rotterdam following last year’s career fair.
“I got my first job in the industry at this career fair last year. I love what I am doing at Tracey’s Hair Salon,” she said. “These career fairs are great for anyone interested in getting into the industry.”
Tracey Kane, owner of Tracey’s Hair and Beauty Salon, praised not only her employee, but the BOCES Career and Technical Education Center.
“Programs like those that BOCES offer are good because not everyone is interested in going to college. It helps students interested in the skilled trades with getting the education they need and the connections they need to succeed,” she said.
Many of these partners will take place in career fairs BOCES will host later this school year. Those events are scheduled for:
- March 26 – Schoharie Career and Technical Education Center Career Fair, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Schoharie Campus located at 174 State Route 30A in Schoharie.
- April 2 – Albany Career and Technical Education Center Career Fair, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Campus.
- April 10 – Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Career Fair, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Albany Campus.
- May 25 – Adult Health Careers Career Fair, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BOCES Administrative Building, 900 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Albany.