Alumni Spotlight: Jacalyn Fakhoury, Hair Stylist at David Chad Beauty Parlor
Alumni spotlight on Jacalyn Fakhoury! Learn about Jacalyn’s journey from CV cosmetology student to professional hairstylist at David Chad Beauty Parlor. She also shares insight and helpful tips for graduates on preparing yourself for your first professional job in the industry!
- What specialty(s) did you study during your time at CV? I studied Cosmetology. My main focus was hair but we also learned barbering, skin care, and makeup.
- What year did you graduate? 2016.
- What are you doing now? I am currently working at David Chad Beauty Parlor as a Stylist.
- What was your journey like to get to your current role? I started at a salon right after I graduated that had an internship program. I spent about 2 years working as an assistant and eventually a personal assistant to learn as much as I could within the salon and working with clients. I eventually got my own chair, but still worked under the Master Stylist who overlooked my haircuts and worked on color formulations with me. I have definitely learned the most in this position because I was hands-on with clients and also got to work one-on-one with an experienced Stylist. After 3 years of working at the first salon, I moved on to a bigger salon, David Chad Beauty Parlor. I got hired as a Stylist and have been taking my own clients, learning from other stylists and taking different classes to improve my skills.
- What was your favorite part about your time as a CV student? My time at CV was a quick but memorable experience. The teachers were very supportive and educated. If there is anything you need from any faculty member at CV, they are there to help you. They make it exciting and interesting to learn and teach you real-life experiences. I also met my best friends at CV and we are all still so close. You spend all day every day with the same people but you build relationships with different people on a different level in the environment CV provides to you; welcoming and honest.
- Do you have any advice for someone who is considering a beauty education? It is a great career to get into. You can do it as a side job or your full-time job. Many people think it is an easy job, but it is not. If it is something that truly interests you, it is a lot of work but it is all worth it and it is a lot of fun.
- Do you have any wise words for students who are about to graduate and look for their first professional job in the industry? Start as an assistant. You learn a lot in school but most of the education is from physically working in a salon. You do not know it all right after you graduate. The education must continue even after many years after you graduate. This is a career that continually improves and changes and it is important to keep up with it.
- What CV product is always in your inventory or on your shelf? Why? Special Creme #11 and Zapper. These are two products that were recommended to me while I was a student at CV, and they are still the best skin care products I have ever used.
Our ultimate goal is to provide our students with a strong foundation upon which to grow a flourishing career. Marina Valmy, our leader, calls this a “root system,” and it’s why our success as educators is embodied by the successes of our alumni. To celebrate this, we feature the achievements of our fabulous graduates in our Alumni Spotlight series. Each Spotlight showcases an interview with a Christine Valmy graduate about their educational and professional journeys.
As part of our educational philosophy, we aim to provide thought leadership on topics relevant to industry professionals and those with a passion for beauty. Click here to visit our Educated Insights homepage to learn trends, tutorials, industry news, and tips for at-home care and spa treatments.