Instructor Spotlight—Q&A With Shanah Nichols

Apr 13, 2021


PJ's College is proud of all of our staff and instructors that continue to strive to provide the best educational experience possible to our students. Recently, we sat down with Shanah Nichols to learn more about her passion for cosmetology and what drives her as an educator.


Q: What is your history with PJ’s College? 

A: I was a student here and then I went out to work in the salon for about a year and a half. Then I came back to take the Junior Educator course and I have been here now for 13 and a half years. 


 Q: What got you interested in cosmetology and then instructing?

A: Honestly, my Grandmother did hair and she had her own beauty salon pretty much all of my childhood life. I just remember all of the fun that happened there, the magic that she made. She kind of inspired me. 


Q:  Why did you decide to be an instructor at PJ’s? 

A: While I was a student there were a few things that I struggled with...I watched other students struggling as well and I loved to help them learn how to do the things I had struggled with and finally learned how to do. I got a lot of enjoyment out of helping them. I realized it was something I enjoy and could be good at doing. 

 
Q:  What is your favorite part about working for PJ’s? 

A: I think that my favorite thing would be meeting all of the different types of people. Each student is a different challenge, so it's something new for us each day to do and different challenges for each student. The most rewarding part is the day they graduate and you see all of the things they have overcome throughout their time here. 
 

Q: What is the best advice you could give to someone new in the field? 

A: If it's easy, it's not worth it. You have to work hard in this program.

 
Q: What do you think has helped you be successful as a cosmetologist and instructor? 

A: Honestly, I believe it was trial and error. Learning as I go and making mistakes and learning from them. I think mistakes are your stepping stones in life and you have to make them to learn from them.
 

Q: What are you most excited about when you think about the future of the beauty industry? 

A: I think the whole aspect of it—the art changes everyday. Color techniques, cutting techniques. We went from books to online. It just evolves day by day. I think that the whole industry is exciting. 

 
Q: What is a mantra or saying that has helped you throughout your life? 

A: I always tell them [the students] that hitting walls and getting scars make them who they are—they just have to keep going. You know our students have battles everyday. Not just with their educations but with their home lives. A lot of them go through death or divorces... They go through a lot of hardships while they are trying to better their own life, and we just try to encourage them to not give up. 
 

Q: Why do you personally recommend beauty school as a training option?  

A: I would tell them that they get to express themselves, as far as who they truly are inside, through the art of cosmetology. 


Q: Why would you recommend a cosmetologist make the transition to becoming an educator?

A: Being an educator is one of the most rewarding things, besides being a mother, that I have done. Helping the students get from point A to point B and watching their struggles and helping them overcome them. You know if they're weak in hair cutting but they're strong in hair coloring, getting them on an even keel where they feel confident. Helping them build their confidence and watching them graduate. It is the most rewarding part of it.


Q: What is your favorite trend or hairstyle you love to do right now?

A: I'm obsessed with balayaging. Because it is endless on what you can do with that color technique. It's amazing—there is so much you can do with it. 
27 Sep, 2021
Whether you’ve been fired or are simply looking to take your career to the next level, switching jobs in the beauty and wellness industry takes strategy and planning. You can have a job or you can build a career; the choice is yours. If you find yourself job hopping frequently, either by choice or by circumstance, it’s going to be more difficult to establish yourself. A job switch is something to be taken seriously as the consequences of your move, both good and bad, can reverberate for months and even years. Before you make a job switch, think through these 5 things. YOU WILL LOSE BUSINESS We know it feels like everyone will follow you if you do leave, but not everyone does. Some won’t like the drive, the new salon, spa, or shop décor, or even your new team members. Some clients may even be looking for an excuse to try someone new. MULTIPLE MOVES RAISE A RED FLAG TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS Salon, spa, and shop owners look at your track record and if they see you’ve moved multiple times over the past 1-3 years, they are going to be less enthusiastic about hiring an “at risk” team member. YOU MAY BE THE PROBLEM If you have moved several times and are still not happy, then it’s time to do a checkup from the neck up. The only common denominator in your career choices is you. It’s time to stop and think about what it is you really want, write it down, and go find it. WHEN IT ISN’T WORKING, TALK IT OUT Let’s face it: there are going to be times when you just are not “feeling it,” and the love and newness has worn off. When you get to that point, reflect on what you are feeling and ask yourself, “Is it true and is it real?” If it is, then the only way to work through it is to go to the source and talk it out. If you don’t, it will fester and get worse. RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE WHAT IS WORKING Look around and appreciate the perks, joys, esthetics, flexibility, team, training, or whatever else is really great about where you work. Sometimes just shifting your thoughts can create a new perspective. Moving on After Being Fired What if your job switch is based not on choice but on circumstance and you have been fired? Being fired is extremely stressful, no matter the reason. You can find yourself struggling with all types of emotions ranging from embarrassment, anger, fear, and even depression. If you’re in this sticky situation, follow these steps to turn this potential negative into a positive. LOOK TO YOUR FUTURE It can be difficult getting past the “being fired” part, but you must move on! You have two choices: you can live in a negative space and dwell on the past or you can decide to look to your future and learn from this experience. TAKE OWNERSHIP This can be as painful as being fired itself. Spend some time taking a personal inventory of the reasons why you were dismissed. Don’t play the “blame game” and point fingers at others. Take full responsibility and turn this negative experience into a positive learning opportunity for your future. Reach out to mentors or enroll in outside education to help you grow in any areas that are keeping you from the success you are destined to achieve. MOVE FORWARD It’s time to freshen up your resume and cover letters. Be certain to point out your successes and your strengths. There is no reason to mention your dismissal at this time. INTERVIEWING During your interview for a potential new position, be prepared to answer those questions you fear the most like, “Why did you leave your last job?” Honesty is the best policy, but there’s no need to get into a long drawn out conversation about it; keep it brief. Share what you have learned and how you have made a personal commitment to learn and grow from this experience. If you have enrolled in outside education and/or have mentorship in this area be sure to share this information during your interview. For other interview tips, check out this guide. Being fired from a job can shake a person to their core. It ranks in the top of life’s most stressful situations, but if you take the initiative by enrolling in classes and reaching out to mentors to move past any barriers, you can turn things around. Job switches can happen at any time for a multitude of reasons. It’s up to you to be proactive and always go towards what you want. When you need to make big changes, make sure to do your research and make sure the changes are in the direction of your dreams.  If you are interested in starting your career in cosmetology, PJ’s College of Cosmetology can help. Call us at 800-62-SALON (72566) or request information at gotopjs.com.
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