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Lauren Jay, Cosmetology Phase II Instructor

A True Go Getter!

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Since 2004, when Lauren Jay entered Professionals Choice Hair Design Academy in Joliet to earn her Cosmetology License, she has gained a tremendous array of varied experiences in the Cosmetology Industry.

Like most new graduates, Ms. Lauren began renting a chair at a small three-chair salon.  Once the salon closed (the owners retired), she was offered a position to lead a new hair and tanning salon start-up in Braidwood.  She enjoyed the position and worked there until recruited away for a better commission position as Assistant Manager at Sports Clips in Shorewood.

In 2009, Ms. Lauren caught the I need to teach bug.  She enrolled in the Cosmetology Instructor program at The Salon Professional Academy, graduating in 2010.  She so enjoyed her time there, she stayed on as their Cosmetology Phase I instructor, all while working at Sports Clips.  

Still, Ms. Lauren yearned to learn more.  She left the Academy and accepted a position at Hair Cuttery in order to perform chemical services in addition to hair cutting . In case you wondered, yes, she still maintained her position with Sports Clips, but back then, they only performed hair cuts.  They have since expanded their services. 

Ms. Lauren is a go-getter.  On top of everything else she was involved in, she also began working freelance doing hair and makeup for weddings and events all while continuing to take classes to earn certifications to better enhance and expand her knowledge base in hopes of returning to the classroom.

The chance presented itself through a friend's recommendation about a position at Paul Mitchell The School in Bourbonnais starting out in the admissions department.  She began there and quickly gained better positions in the school including Professional Development Coach and Design Team Leader.

Like several before her, Ms. Lauren moved from Paul Mitchell The School to KACC's School of Cosmetology where she says, she "Believed I could really blossom as a teacher."  Beginning as a substitute teacher during her first year was the perfect first step.  Ms. Lauren went from substitute, to part-time and then in her third year, KACC's full-time Cosmetology Phase II instructor.

Ms. Lauren stays her goal as the Phase II Instructor is to "help my students really build their confidence and speed with what they have learned from the beginning."  She says she is excited to get to work every day at KACC and see her students.  

Ms. Lauren brings a nice lift to the classroom, occasionally playing music as she takes the daily temperatures at the door and, well, just being goofy once in a while to get a smile from her students. Her motto is Every EXPERT, was once a BEGINNER...Be brave enough to be BAD at something NEW. Agreed!