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DCG Success Stories

Keri Tiochta

Keri Tiochta at a salon

Study Type: Adult and Community
Study Location: The Roundhouse
Subject Studied: Hair

Hair Angels work experience leads to dream job for stylist Keri

Former Derby College hairdressing student Keri Tiochta didn’t always want to be a hairdresser – she wanted to be a psychologist.

And, as someone who enjoys talking to clients, she says the therapy aspect of her role makes the two jobs not that dissimilar.

Keri, who is from Spondon, completed levels 2 and 3 of her hair course in July 2016 and now works at Hair Angels in Oakwood – the salon where she did her work experience.

Now 29 and mum to two girls – who have the “best hair in their school”, Keri enjoys passing on her skills and helping to train other Derby College students who come to the salon on work experience.

She loves the salon’s atmosphere, the flexible working hours and the positive difference her skills make to her clients.

Keri said: “I love colouring the most. It can change how clients feel about themselves, especially when they have gone grey early. It’s great to see how happy people are after a colour.”

I didn’t actually need to do it (as my course was part-time so I could look after the children) but I found I needed to get in more hours of practical training. I loved the “realness” of my work experience. I qualified in July 2016 and I’m so grateful for the experience I got while at Derby College. I’ve now got my dream job working as a self-employed hairdresser at Hair Angels.