Student Stars: Empire Student Creates Popular YouTube Channel
It was graduation day for Maria Menjivar when we snapped this photo of her at Empire Beauty School in Pottsville, Pa. But for the 27 year-old student, this wasn’t her first graduation day since high school.
Menjivar already holds a Bachelor’s Degree in business from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. And unlike many who choose trade school after college, she planned it that way. “My family encouraged me to come right to cosmetology school after high school.” says Menjivar. “But I wanted the business background first. I wanted to go to college and then focus on fine tuning my skills.”
Like many students, Maria had to juggle work, family and school to make her dreams come true. She lives in Hazleton, PA with her husband who owns and operates his own barber shop. Add to that her own YouTube channel and freelance work as a makeup artist, and her days were jam packed.
“It was hard. It was very hard. But I stayed focused. I knew my time in school would eventually come to an end and my experience at Empire has been amazing. I have learned so much.”
Maria’s YouTube videos are popular with spanish-speaking women looking for online beauty tutorials. Her vlog, (video blog) highlights makeup, nails and hair tricks and tips. She plans to continue with her vlogs while she looks for full-time employment.
“Eventually I want to open my own day spa. It has been my dream since I was a young girl. But first, I need some salon experience. My learning is not done yet.”
And, Maria says the best part of school was finding new interests beyond makeup and nails.
“When I first arrived, I wanted to focus on skin care and nails only. But once I started doing hair, I found that I really liked it. It has opened up a whole new world for me. I can choose a number of different directions to go with my career, all of which are skills I learned here at Empire.”