From Graduate to Guest Speaker: Gabriela Oliveira Returns to Inspire Spa Management Students
HLOs: 
As graduation approaches for the Esthetician/Spa Management students in April, the journey from classroom to career can feel both exciting and uncertain. To help bring that transition into focus, Semester 4 students in the BSPA253: Human Resources class welcomed Gabriela Oliveira, a Humber Spa Management graduate from the April 2025 cohort who works in the industry as a medical esthetician.
Her message was simple but powerful, what students are learning in the program already matters in the real world. Students immediately connected with her perspective. She understood the reality of stepping into the job market as a new graduate and shared openly about what that transition actually looks like.
Gabriela emphasized that the skills developed during the program such as communication, professionalism, presentation, and teamwork, are not just academic expectations. They are the foundation of credibility in the workplace. How a professional presents themselves, communicates with colleagues, and interacts with clients often shapes first impressions and career opportunities. She also reminded students that entering the industry can sometimes feel challenging at first. As a new graduate, people may assume you still have much to learn. However, she encouraged students not to let those assumptions affect their confidence. Experience builds over time, and adaptability is one of the most valuable strengths a young professional can develop.
One of the most valuable parts of Gabriela’s visit was her practical advice on preparing for the next step after graduation. She encouraged students to focus on:
- Developing strong professional communication, building emotional intelligence and teamwork skills.
- Preparing resumes and interview strategies early.
- Maintaining professionalism in appearance, behaviour, and interactions.
Gabriela highlighted that the spa and wellness industry is competitive, but it is also full of opportunity. There are many possible career paths within esthetics, and each role - whether reception, spa attendant, or practitioner - builds important experience and industry understanding. No role is ever wasted if it contributes to growth and learning. A key theme of Gabriela’s talk, particularly relevant to the BSPA253 Human Resources focus of the course, was the powerful role that leadership and workplace culture play in daily professional life. Drawing from her own onboarding experiences, she explained how supervisory behaviour can significantly influence workplace dynamics. Management styles, communication tone, and team leadership can shape the morale and energy of an entire workplace. Students were reminded that leadership behaviour directly impacts teamwork and morale, negative management styles can create stress and tension, positive leadership builds trust, collaboration, and confidence and workplace culture often reflects the tone set by supervisors.
Her real-world observations helped students understand why HR principles - often discussed theoretically in class - are so important in real organizations. Gabriela also spoke candidly about protecting one’s confidence and mental health in professional environments. Every workplace has different personalities, and sometimes negativity can circulate within teams. Her advice to students was to remain focused on their own professional path, maintain clear boundaries, and avoid absorbing workplace negativity that does not serve their growth. She reminded students that their career journey belongs to them, and they should pursue opportunities aligned with their goals and values.
What made Gabriela’s visit particularly impactful was the authenticity of her experience. Just a year ago, she was preparing for graduation herself. Now, she is actively building her career, continuing advanced training, and developing her professional identity in the industry. For Semester 4 students preparing to graduate, hearing directly from someone who recently made the transition provided both clarity and reassurance. Her final advice to students captured the spirit of the visit "believe in your value, protect your professionalism and boundaries, stay adaptable and open to learning and build the career you want".
Moments like this highlight the strength of the Spa Management community where graduates return to support the next generation of professionals, creating a continuous cycle of mentorship, learning, and inspiration.
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