Personal Reflection

Champneys
This was a trip as part of University. This trip was a good source of information to see the standards in one of the most popular health farms in the UK. Because of this, we all had very high expectations. Unfortunately these were not all met. I found that the range of facilities were lacking and for that reason I spent very little time in the spa area, and spent more time in fitness classes. These classes were sufficiently challenging and a good way to break up the trip. As a part of the visit, we all received a treatment. This gained very mixed reviews from all students due to which therapist they had and what treatments they usually enjoy. I found the experience at Champneys to be eyeopening. It was interesting to see what made the spa so popular from a professional point of view, and look at how it could be improved according to current trends and consumer demands.

Buxton Spa and Wellness Conference
The Buxton Spa and Wellness Conference is an event held by the university at the Devonshire Dome. It gives students the opportunity to listen to key note speakers across the industry on a variety of topics which can be contextualised, used to expand knowledge and possibly aid work in the future. In comparison to last year, I was able to choose the workshops I attended more strategically based on what I have learned in the past year and found an interest for. For example, I chose to attend a retailing workshop with Tracy, Caudalie's marketing coordinator, because I wanted to improve my retailing percentages in the spa as well as just learn more about their key products and why they sell the way they do.
I also went to a discussion panel. The panel consisted of managers of well known spas based in both the UK and abroad. I chose to attend this panel because I was in the process of applying for sandwich year placement and I knew I would benefit from asking the professionals what they look for in a candidate, and what sets you apart from others. I found this panel extremely helpful, and took on board a lot of the comments made such as using your passion to your advantage and getting as much experience in as many roles as possible in order to develop yourself both personally and professionally.

Industry Networking Day
This day was a chance to meet potential employers for both placement as well as after university. I know that I could have done a lot better on this day. Personally, it is a challenge of confidence and being able to promote myself as the good therapist that I know I am. However, when in a room with other therapists that may have more training and experience than myself, I find myself worrying that I wont be considered against someone else. However, I now know that I just need to put myself forward and see what happens because my passion and enthusiasm for the industry and the fact that I have been able to develop so quickly will work in my favour.

Barcelona Placement
This year I had the challenge of finding myself a placement for my sandwich year starting in September. I spent a few months searching employment and networking platforms such as Hosco and LinkedIn. When i had no luck finding exactly what I was looking for, I decided to contact potential employers directly. I knew that I wanted to spend my placement in Barcelona in order to improve my Spanish and learn about the way spa is received in other cultures. Because of this I looked into spa hotels in the area and sent my CV to the recruitment departments. For me, this was a big step in building my confidence because it enabled me to show my professional side through my CV before being offered a Skype interview and conveying my passion and desire to work in the industry. I eventually got offered a placement in the Majestic Hotel and Spa in Barcelona. A 5 star establishment which holds a high reputation in the area, with competition such as the mandarin oriental being very close by.