Emme Weed, a senior at Skaneateles High School and Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, is sharpening her skills through her internships at two different salons: Shear Forte Hair Design and Adonia Salon & Spa. As a student in the Cosmetology program, Weed’s internships are allowing her to earn up to 125 hours toward the 1000-hour licensing requirement.

During her time at Shear Forte, Weed was mentored by stylist Terry Hildmann, who not only taught her techniques but also showed her how to manage time effectively. "Terry would apply three root touch-ups and complete two men's cuts during the processing time. I swear she only sat down once every three hours,” Weed said.

Hildmann spoke on the benefits of the Work-Based Learning program. “Having Emme spend several hours with us has given her the confidence to pursue her passion at the professional level,” she said. “She has grown so much from the first day watching all the stylists.”

Hildmann also believes in the power of hands-on teaching. “Anytime a student can get a real-life experience is always better than hearing or learning from classroom only experience. It really does allow the students to see themselves in the environment they are seeking no matter what the profession.”

At Adonia Salon & Spa, Weed was introduced to a collaborative atmosphere, where she learned the importance of building relationships with both clients and coworkers. “Adonia showed me the camaraderie that a salon and its workers can create when they rely on each other to improve their skills,” she shared. “It was an important lesson as I look to enter a highly social career.”

Adonia Salon & Spa staff have been thrilled with Weed’s work ethic and passion for the industry. “Our experience with Emme has been absolutely fantastic,” said Kimberly Chamberlain, the salon’s owner. “She is so eager to learn, asking questions the entire time she is here all while taking notes.”

Weed’s internships have provided her with experiences far beyond what can be learned in the classroom. “Reading the textbooks and practicing on mannequins is great. However, I learned so much more about the true ins and outs of the industry from my internships.”

The Work-Based Learning program at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES continues to open doors for students like Weed, helping them connect classroom lessons to hands-on practice and giving them a taste of their future careers.

To learn more about Work-Based Learning, please contact Kimberly Stevers at kstevers@cayboces.org or at (315) 253-0361, ext. 5117.