Rina Sevenhuysen, Hairstylist

Feeling valued

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"When my client comes back and asks me to do their hair again because they like the way I cut it last time, the feeling I get is really unbelievable. It's really beautiful because you think, ‘Wow, they come back for me.'

"Of course your job is to make people look good and then feel good at the same time. Sometimes it's stressful to meet different characters, but when they ask you, specifically, to do their hair it's really enjoyable."

Workplace images

Simple English

I learned a little English when I was in school back home and then some in my job at a hotel. This was very basic everyday conversation, not high level. The main difference between the English back home and here is the pronunciation. Back home you don't know if you are using or pronouncing the word properly.

In my job as a hairstylist, I use very clear language to find out what kind of haircuts my clients want. This is different than the English they teach at college, which is more formal.

Took courses

After I took my benchmarks (Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment) and I didn't score very well, I was told that Red River College has good language training. I took their Intensive English Language Program* and found it quite helpful. They show you how to talk with people in basic conversation. The key thing you learn is how to talk to people so they understand what you're saying.

After that, I went to hairstylist school and I learned more English just by communicating with people.

*Note: See the Red River College Intensive English Language Program in USEFUL INKS for more information.

Trouble writing

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"I hate writing and I don't use it much. Writing simple notes, I do. But the high writing skills, no. That's why I went to English Skills Centre*. They teach you how to write properly and how to meet the standards.

"That's why I like Winnipeg - there's lots of opportunity to develop your own life and your career."

*Note: The English Skills Centre is a Manitoba government-funded program offering English training to newcomers. It offers many courses for people including one for those apprenticing or working in specific trades, such as hairstyling. For more information about this and other language programs, see Language Services in USEFUL LINKS.

Necessary for work

English is absolutely critical. You have to understand what people are saying if you want to work in Canada. If you don't understand, you can get lost and miss opportunities.

Canadians use expressions - idioms - that you cannot find in a dictionary. That's why knowing how to communicate in English is very important.

Face to face

When I cut somebody's hair I look at their face, hair structure and lifestyle, and then I ask questions. I learned English from talking to the customers like this.

Sometimes I have to use the telephone or email when I am communicating with head office, but mostly I have learned everyday English from face to face communication.

Must meet standards

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"You have to meet the qualifications here. For example, if you are doctor in your home country, you cannot come here and be a doctor right away. No, you have to meet the Canadian standards.

"Even if I had been a hairdresser in my country, I would have to do the exam here."

Making choices

I came here in 2000 and immediately went to the Academy of Learning for an Applied Business Certificate. Then I enrolled in some computer courses for about six months, but I didn't enjoy that because it wasn't very social.

After this, I went into the Intensive English program at Red River College. A counsellor said I was artistic, so I thought maybe I should be a hairstylist because this would be both artistic and social.

Students and apprentice

While I was at Red River College, I found out about how to qualify to become a hairstylist. I needed to go to school and become an apprentice, so I went to the Pollock School of Beauty to get my diploma.

After that, I apprenticed at Singleton's hair salon to get the 1500 hours of working experience that I needed. Then I took the Red Seal exam.

More opportunities

Here in Canada, if you push yourself hard and you meet the standards, you will get work. You just need to follow all the steps to qualify, and then it will work out.

Back in Indonesia, there is a surplus of workers. It is a nice country but the economy is getting worse. It's hard to find a job and hard to make enough money.

Age no obstacle

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"Back home, at my age - I'm 42 - I have no opportunities. That's it. Past that, you stay home or go on with your career. But here they say ‘life begins at 40.' I don't know if this is correct or not, but I saw something different here. That's why I kept pushing myself. This is a great opportunity for me."

Finding my path

I went to work in a hotel right out of high school. When I was young, I thought the tourist business was exciting. It motivated me to learn English so I could work in tourism. I tried different jobs like bartending but didn't really enjoy them. Then I got a job as a guest relations officer, which is a higher level job in hotels.

Guest relations

As a GRO (guest relations officer) back home, I mostly handled groups of tourists. For example, if they wanted to go somewhere or see something, I made sure they had everything like bus tickets and meals and anything else they needed. Most of the time, I was with them, and I'd take them where they wanted to go.

I met so many people from different cultures around the world. It was an interesting job. In the end, I needed more of a challenge, so I went to university to study marketing.

Looking for work

After I graduated from Pollock School of Beauty, I made a resume and sent it to every single salon near my house. Because I was new to Canada, many places told me I'd have to fold towels for my first job. But I didn't want to fold towels, I wanted to cut hair.

Finally, Singleton's asked me to come and bring two models - friends - one male and one female - to show the manager how I cut hair. The boss liked it, so they hired me.

Staying current

It's very important to keep up with the trends in hairstyles and colours. I have to know all about what's coming, even from outside Canada like in Milan or London or other places. I search on the Internet and buy salon magazines to study the latest styles.

In 2006, I took three months off from my work at Singletons to return to Indonesia and study hairdressing and body painting. I was interested in expanding my knowledge and found it easier to learn in my own language.

Bosses listen

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"Here it's casual. If you don't like it, you can say ‘No, I'm not doing it.' Your opinion, they listen to you, and then they see that maybe you are right.

"But back home, my goodness, if you say no, they cut your salary or they kick you out, so what are you supposed to do? You stay in a job, and in the meantime you're dead in there, no chance to express yourself."

Open communication

The hardest thing about finding work in Manitoba is meeting the standards for my job. Once you are qualified, people will help you out a lot. If you don't understand something, you can ask and they will explain it to you.

Back home, if you ask questions they will look at you like you are stupid. It's different here, I feel more comfortable asking for help.

Very social

I like the social part of my job, meeting clients every day. I meet so many different people, interesting characters.

But sometimes after work, I need to be on my own, to have some quiet peaceful time just to be myself.

Responsible for hair

I take care of my own clients at the Salon and discuss with them how they would like their hair. That is my job.

The manager orders the supplies and schedules her own appointments. She also handles ear piercing, waxing and other services that I do not.

Close to nature

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"In Winnipeg I like Assiniboine Park, especially in the summertime. It's beautiful. You just walk and you feel fresh.

"It's just completely different from back home. Back home is just cement, cement and shopping malls. Here, you really feel nature."

Good location

I live near Pembina and Grant, close to downtown Winnipeg. It's nice and comfortable, because it's easy to get to my work and easy to go to downtown.

Public health care

The health care system is wonderful. They take care of you here because you pay taxes. Back home, if you don't have the money, you're dead in the street.

It's different here. You come to the hospital and they take care of you. They give you advice, and you go home and feel better the next day.

Long winters

I arrived here in November when winter was starting. The first week it looked so beautiful, the snow was so gorgeous and romantic. The second week it felt so cold, and the third week I felt like I wanted to go home. It was too cold!

Now I just think, "That's okay, it's just winter; time goes by and it's going to be nice again." But it is still very long. My goal for the next winter, if I have time, is to learn how to snowmobile.

More space, fewer people

Manitoba is so different from Jakarta. In Jakarta there are millions of people everywhere you look. There are people on every corner! Here, it's much more open and empty and quiet. It's very pretty and peaceful. To me, it's like a different planet compared to back home.

Career change

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"I would like to be able to choose (a new career) in the future. That's why I want to do my masters in a couple years.

"Hairdressing is lovely job. It's very nice. You meet people, and then you build your confidence because you can handle that. But you're standing for eight hours a day. I'm getting older so I would like to have different career with higher skills, like working with the government."

Travel

I love travelling and would like to go around Canada. I heard Newfoundland and up north are beautiful. I've never been to the north, but when they talk about it, I can feel the emptiness and open spaces that it must have.

At the moment I'm working hard, saving my money so I can travel from South to North, West to East and explore more about Canada. It's a beautiful country.

Improve dancing

I would like to improve my dancing skills. I enjoy salsa and other types of dancing. I stopped because of my schedule at work.

I wish that I were young enough to be able to move like the dancers on Dancing with the Stars*.

*Note: Dancing with the Stars is a TV show.

Advice for newcomers

My advice to other newcomers is to work hard and study hard. It's also very important to improve your English, not only for work but also to settle here. If you cannot talk to people, you cannot express your feelings.

Then you must make sure you meet all the standards for your type of work. If you can meet the standards, you can get a job here.

You also have to be willing to meet and work with people. That way, you make connections and understand more.

Immigration and Settlement

Immigrating to Manitoba

Welcome to Manitoba
Government web site with information on moving to Manitoba, the Provincial Nominee Program, newcomer services, learning English and Manitoba's multicultural mosaic, including links to all the pages below

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
Guidelines that explain how you can apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) to be nominated for Permanent Resident Status in Canada

After You Arrive

What to do when you arrive in Manitoba
Guide to newcomer settlement services in Manitoba

Learn English
Guide to language assessment services and English as an Additional Language classes in Manitoba

Work in Manitoba
Information about looking for jobs, licensing and certification, employment standards, Employment Insurance, income assistance, business resources and child day care

Financial help with licensing - Credentials Recognition Program
Financial assistance for having your qualifications recognized in Manitoba, including licensing fees, courses, books and wage subsidy

Labour Market Info

The link below takes you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long range prospects for this career.

The official title for Rina's occupation is hairstylists and barbers and its NOC* code is 6271.

Manitoba Job Futures - Hairstylists and barbers
Local information on employment requirements, skills, education and training, wages, employment outlook and other labour market information for hairstylists and barbers.

Working in Canada Career Research Tool

*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the 'National Occupation Classification' code or 'NOC'.

Professional Resources

Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade - Trade Programs
Apprenticeship training requirements for trades in Manitoba

Manitoba Hairstylists' Association
501 Sargent Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3B 1V9
204-775-8633

Allied Beauty Association
A national organization for those in the beauty trade who work with hair and nails

Education

Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade

Trade Programs - Hairstylist

Winnipeg Technical College

Hairstyling
English Language Centre
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Red River College

Intensive English Language Program

Private vocational institutions

Accademia Dei Capelli School of Hairstyling & Esthetics
204-452-7380
657 Corydon Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3M 0W3

Advanced School of Hairstyling
603 Princess Avenue
Brandon, Manitoba R7A 0P2

Classic Hairstyling Academy
118 - 10th Street
Brandon MB R7A 4E6

European School of Esthetics
241 Vaughan Street, 2nd Floor
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1T6

Hairstory Beauty College Ltd.
204-783-6428
650 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0G6

Scientific Marvel School of Hairstyling and Aesthetics
204-943-2145
269 Kennedy Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 1T2

Related Careers

Estheticians, Electrologists and Related Occupations (NOC 6482)

Hairdressing Teachers (NOC 4131)

Image, Social and Other Personal Consultants (NOC 6481)

Make-up Artists (NOC 5226)