| rev:text
| - This is a review of the school.
Penrose emphasized their connections to local salons/spas & even famous industry leaders. The problem with that is the esthetic side didnt have the same opportunities & connections as the cosmetology side.
They also are big on "teaching" the business side of the industry. That meant doing a project where you create a business plan, find a location, make menus, do a presentation etc.. Nobody taught us anything about opening a business and how to run it. The chapter in our book had some info but it was useless when you don't really understand it. The project did not help and was unrealistic. They also focus on selling dermalogica too much. They should call it selling not "business." It was so stressful at times the pressure of selling to clients in the student spa. It was like a job with the quotas except you don't get paid or even tipped! If you sell a certain ridiculous amount per block, you make a commission of about 5% on the products you sell but it isn't cash, it is on a gift card that can only be used at the school. You also have to pay full menu price for services & you cant practice services on classmates without paying.
The student spa is a huge issue within itself. The front desk will book you solid. You are really over worked & not learning anything new because its mostly the same service each time. One huge thing to look for in an esthetic school is the amount of hands on hours in the student spa compared to the classroom hours. It was split evenly when I attended which was way too many hours in the student spa other schools have less time.
The classroom time was focused on things that don't matter like anatomy. I seriously don't remember one bone in the face or the body! We normally don't even touch the body so why do I need to know what bone connects to the hip bone. This isn't high school ! I learned that before and forgot it and wasted time doing it again. You also spend so much time reading about older techniques that are not used in today's esthetic field. Basically you can go buy the esthetic book they use online and learn what they "teach" by reading it yourself. There needs to be more time really teaching & making us understand. For example ingredients, we read about them, memorized them, we're tested on them but after I graduated I could not tell you what vitamin C or retin A did for your skin and how it works with your skin. Yes teach us the layers but also teach how products react and penetrate. I feel like they give you the bare minimum, you are trained to pass the state board & to work for free in their spa. You also spend a huge amount of class time learning dermalogica & their ingredients. Dermalogica is not a line I would ever personally or professionally use but that's a whole different story.
On to the worse part, finding a job. They do not have a department for careers, it was the two office lady's that "helped" you. Before you graduate you go on what they call a journey where you visit 3 or 4 spas where you can ask questions & tour. They have an industry day where you meet with owners & hiring managers from different spas, but this is not an interview & they wont consider you because you are not licensed. It is not helpful & doesn't enhance your chances of getting a job. After graduation you are on your own. I asked for help after a few months of unsuccessful searching, my response was to take a journey on my own & drop off my resumes around town. I did that!! They also say they have their own unique job postings on their website. First of all they hardly ever post esthetic jobs maybe 1 or 2 a month & the majority of the time they are the same ads on Craigslist! These are not exclusive industry connected jobs they claim to offer.
I honestly learned more from a PCA chemical peel class I took in 8 hours than I did in 5 months at Penrose. I actually graduated not knowing the Fitzpatrick scale. I thought the lower fitz, the more sensitive and the higher fitz , the more durable! I could have done serious damage and maybe even lost my license if I had not be corrected by PCA.
Be prepared to be taken back to grade school being treated like your a child not an adult.
There is way too much spiritual nonsense going on. I'm here to be educated and prepared for the esthetic industry not to find myself.
The only thing that was good was one of my teachers who taught me things from her own experiences. Jill had a class with us twice & also taught some good things like commission structures & non competes. The few good things there were didn't make up for the over all lack of education & confidence I needed to thrive in this industry. If you are a potential student don't hesitate to message me if you have questions because I sure wish I had somebody to help me. I was an A student with 100% attendance, I did my part as a student.
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