Rensselaer Educational Center Cosmetology student Alyssa Casatelli always wanted to go into cosmetology. A junior at Columbia High School, she attributes part of that desire to a family history. Several of her family members have worked in the field. She says from a young age, she was always looking for customers.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was little. I used to nag my cousins and my mom and everyone to let me do their hair and do it on my Barbies,” Casatelli said.
In the cosmetology program, students learn a variety of skills needed to work in a salon, from cutting and curling hair, to how to mix dye and do manicures and pedicures. They learn the theory before the practice, to have a better understanding of what they’ll be doing on the floor, part of the course Casatelli says she enjoys.
“I enjoy the theory. A lot of people don’t, but I like to learn the background,” she said.
She also set high goals for herself. Eventually, Casatelli says, she’d like to open her own day spa. The cosmetology program at Questar III is laying the foundation to make that dream a reality. Helping her reach that goal are the many opportunities available for learning outside the classroom.
Alyssa Casatelli competes in the SkillsUSA regional competition at SCCC on March 18
Casatelli has participated in the SkillsUSA Regional competition, where she competed against cosmetology students from all around the Capital District (where she took second place), an experience she says allowed her to see where other students are with their skills and perhaps what she could be up against in employment decisions.
She also took part in a job shadow, where she got to spend time in an actual salon to get a feeling for what a day in the field is really like.
The bottom line for Casatelli is doing the best she can to position herself for employment after high school. When she graduates next year, she’ll leave with a temporary cosmetology license. That will become her permanent license once she passes the state exams.
“It’s a passion of mine, and I really want to fulfill that. I’ve always loved it.”
