Beauty student wins three awards
Amy Monks had her hands full at this year’s Dundee and Angus College’s prize-giving ceremony as she picked up three awards – the Ian Colligan Award for Outstanding Contribution, the Helen Morrison Award in Excellence for Hair, Beauty & Complementary Therapies and a D&A Attributes Gold Award.
Learner Engagement Officer Tatiana Zorina explains, “Amy participated in a huge number of events throughout the college year, dedicating her own time for the benefit of her class, the course and her career. She is an inspiration to all and has a very unique work ethic and approachable personality.
“Amy took on the responsibility of running a Facebook page for her class this year, showcasing their work and advertising the department. She is also the Students’ Association Vice President.”
Before coming to college Amy had worked for 12 years in hospitality. She explains how the change of direction came about, “I didn’t have a permanent position to return to after having my second child in 2017. This gave me the opportunity to really think about my future and my career. Make-up Artistry was the perfect course for me as it offered the chance to learn practical skills while exploring creativity and making people feel good. My main difficulty was juggling life as a student and a single mum of two but I’m very lucky to have an incredibly supportive family.”
Amy hopes to eventually qualify as a hairdresser and work freelance in the industry while studying to be a college lecturer.
“College allowed me to regain control of my mental health, improve my confidence and build a stable future for me and my children.”