I’ve been passionate about hair for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would sit my younger cousins down in front of the mirror and comb their hair for them. Even now, styling their hair remains one of my favorite ways to bond and connect with them. My family trusts my knowledge in men’s hairstyling so fully that my aunt will call me from the barbershop to get my input. When I first came to Futures, they told me that they would be able to help me secure secondary education in a barbering program. They also secured connections to a local barber shop, “The Shop” in Newington, through Futures’ vocational work program. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to licensed barbers about their careers and express my interest in the field. For nearly a year, I shadowed those professionals while also assisting with cleaning and sanitation of the work area. I was able to get a full and realistic understanding of everything that working in a barbershop entails, including knowledge of different types of cuts and the techniques used to achieve different styles. By the following summer, I had learned enough about the trade that my peers and teachers trusted me enough to allow me to cut their hair under the supervision of my employers. It felt so good to be trusted by my peers, and I’ll never forget how happy it made me to see how much they liked their hair. I’m so grateful to have had that work opportunity, as it solidified my interest in becoming a barber. One of the few things more exciting to me than studying and learning about hair is what those skills will allow me to accomplish. There’s something very rewarding about getting the “perfect” haircut. I take a lot of pride in maintaining my hair and coming to work and school with a clean haircut, to the extent that I try to get a haircut as frequently as every two weeks. I want to be able to give others that same experience. The right haircut can change how a person views themselves, as well as how that person is perceived by others. A professional haircut can also help a person appear more desirable during a job interview, leading to better chances at employment. It’s my dream to give haircuts that inspire, motivate, and uplift members of my community. One personal dream of mine is contributing to my local community by providing free or discounted haircuts to children and people in need of assistance. It’d be just one small way that I can pay forward all of the guidance and support that I’ve been shown by the people around me. Another way I want to support my community is by creating shadowing and internship opportunities similar to the one that was granted to me. When I think back to the time I spent shadowing at “The Shop”, I realize how much confidence and motivation that experience gave me. I could be that for somebody else, some day. A decade from now, some teenager might walk into my shop and ask me how they can be like me. When that day comes, it will be a privilege to give that person the same opportunity I was given.

“Are you going out like that or do you want me to do your hair?” I’ve wanted to be a barber for about as long as I can remember. This is my dream career: one that perfectly blends my artistic creativity and my interpersonal relationship skills, while also giving me the freedom of flexible hours and long-term job stability. I’m even looking forward to attending school and learning everything there is to know about working with hair and running a business. I can’t wait to be standing behind the chair, laughing with my customers as we settle on the perfect cut, then sending them off with a smile on their faces and a fresh new look we can both be proud of. But what really makes barbering the perfect job for me is the way that it connects my personal dream to two of my most important values: giving back to my community and supporting my loved ones. I’ve been passionate about hair for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would sit my younger cousins down in front of the mirror and comb their hair for them. Even now, styling their hair remains one of my favorite ways to bond and connect with them. My family trusts my knowledge in men’s hairstyling so fully that my aunt will call me from the barbershop to get my input. When I first came to Futures, they told me that they would be able to help me secure secondary education in a barbering program. They also secured connections to a local barber shop, “The Shop” in Newington, through Futures’ vocational work program. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to licensed barbers about their careers and express my interest in the field. For nearly a year, I shadowed those professionals while also assisting with cleaning and sanitation of the work area. I was able to get a full and realistic understanding of everything that working in a barbershop entails, including knowledge of different types of cuts and the techniques used to achieve different styles. By the following summer, I had learned enough about the trade that my peers and teachers trusted me enough to allow me to cut their hair under the supervision of my employers. It felt so good to be trusted by my peers, and I’ll never forget how happy it made me to see how much they liked their hair. I’m so grateful to have had that work opportunity, as it solidified my interest in becoming a barber.

“Are you going out like that or do you want me to do your hair?” I’ve wanted to be a barber for about as long as I can remember. This is my dream career: one that perfectly blends my artistic creativity and my interpersonal relationship skills, while also giving me the freedom of flexible hours and long-term job stability. I’m even looking forward to attending school and learning everything there is to know about working with hair and running a business. I can’t wait to be standing behind the chair, laughing with my customers as we settle on the perfect cut, then sending them off with a smile on their faces and a fresh new look we can both be proud of. But what really makes barbering the perfect job for me is the way that it connects my personal dream to two of my most important values: giving back to my community and supporting my loved ones. I’ve been passionate about hair for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would sit my younger cousins down in front of the mirror and comb their hair for them. Even now, styling their hair remains one of my favorite ways to bond and connect with them. My family trusts my knowledge in men’s hairstyling so fully that my aunt will call me from the barbershop to get my input. When I first came to Futures, they told me that they would be able to help me secure secondary education in a barbering program. They also secured connections to a local barber shop, “The Shop” in Newington, through Futures’ vocational work program. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to licensed barbers about their careers and express my interest in the field. For nearly a year, I shadowed those professionals while also assisting with cleaning and sanitation of the work area. I was able to get a full and realistic understanding of everything that working in a barbershop entails, including knowledge of different types of cuts and the techniques used to achieve different styles. By the following summer, I had learned enough about the trade that my peers and teachers trusted me enough to allow me to cut their hair under the supervision of my employers. It felt so good to be trusted by my peers, and I’ll never forget how happy it made me to see how much they liked their hair. I’m so grateful to have had that work opportunity, as it solidified my interest in becoming a barber.

“Are you going out like that or do you want me to do your hair?” I’ve wanted to be a barber for about as long as I can remember. This is my dream career: one that perfectly blends my artistic creativity and my interpersonal relationship skills, while also giving me the freedom of flexible hours and long-term job stability. I’m even looking forward to attending school and learning everything there is to know about working with hair and running a business. I can’t wait to be standing behind the chair, laughing with my customers as we settle on the perfect cut, then sending them off with a smile on their faces and a fresh new look we can both be proud of. But what really makes barbering the perfect job for me is the way that it connects my personal dream to two of my most important values: giving back to my community and supporting my loved ones. I’ve been passionate about hair for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would sit my younger cousins down in front of the mirror and comb their hair for them. Even now, styling their hair remains one of my favorite ways to bond and connect with them. My family trusts my knowledge in men’s hairstyling so fully that my aunt will call me from the barbershop to get my input. When I first came to Futures, they told me that they would be able to help me secure secondary education in a barbering program. They also secured connections to a local barber shop, “The Shop” in Newington, through Futures’ vocational work program. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to licensed barbers about their careers and express my interest in the field. For nearly a year, I shadowed those professionals while also assisting with cleaning and sanitation of the work area. I was able to get a full and realistic understanding of everything that working in a barbershop entails, including knowledge of different types of cuts and the techniques used to achieve different styles. By the following summer, I had learned enough about the trade that my peers and teachers trusted me enough to allow me to cut their hair under the supervision of my employers. It felt so good to be trusted by my peers, and I’ll never forget how happy it made me to see how much they liked their hair. I’m so grateful to have had that work opportunity, as it solidified my interest in becoming a barber.

I’ve been passionate about hair for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would sit my younger cousins down in front of the mirror and comb their hair for them. Even now, styling their hair remains one of my favorite ways to bond and connect with them. My family trusts my knowledge in men’s hairstyling so fully that my aunt will call me from the barbershop to get my input. When I first came to Futures, they told me that they would be able to help me secure secondary education in a barbering program. They also secured connections to a local barber shop, “The Shop” in Newington, through Futures’ vocational work program. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to licensed barbers about their careers and express my interest in the field. For nearly a year, I shadowed those professionals while also assisting with cleaning and sanitation of the work area. I was able to get a full and realistic understanding of everything that working in a barbershop entails, including knowledge of different types of cuts and the techniques used to achieve different styles. By the following summer, I had learned enough about the trade that my peers and teachers trusted me enough to allow me to cut their hair under the supervision of my employers. It felt so good to be trusted by my peers, and I’ll never forget how happy it made me to see how much they liked their hair. I’m so grateful to have had that work opportunity, as it solidified my interest in becoming a barber. One of the few things more exciting to me than studying and learning about hair is what those skills will allow me to accomplish. There’s something very rewarding about getting the “perfect” haircut. I take a lot of pride in maintaining my hair and coming to work and school with a clean haircut, to the extent that I try to get a haircut as frequently as every two weeks. I want to be able to give others that same experience. The right haircut can change how a person views themselves, as well as how that person is perceived by others. A professional haircut can also help a person appear more desirable during a job interview, leading to better chances at employment. It’s my dream to give haircuts that inspire, motivate, and uplift members of my community. One personal dream of mine is contributing to my local community by providing free or discounted haircuts to children and people in need of assistance. It’d be just one small way that I can pay forward all of the guidance and support that I’ve been shown by the people around me. Another way I want to support my community is by creating shadowing and internship opportunities similar to the one that was granted to me. When I think back to the time I spent shadowing at “The Shop”, I realize how much confidence and motivation that experience gave me. I could be that for somebody else, some day. A decade from now, some teenager might walk into my shop and ask me how they can be like me. When that day comes, it will be a privilege to give that person the same opportunity I was given.