Featured photo: Rosa Mata Betancourt in the cosmetology salon on the Henderson County Campus. (Photo by Emily Gill.)
Emily Gill, Marketing & Communications Dept.
As a child, Rosa Mata Betancourt loved to do her hair and makeup, so much so that her mother encouraged her to pursue a career in cosmetology. At the time, Rosa was interested. Now in her thirties, she is delighted to be graduating this spring with her associate degree in Cosmetology.
Betancourt, a wife and mother of three, was nervous to begin her studies; simply navigating the process of finding a program and signing up kept her away for sometime. After a friend emailed Blue Ridge’s cosmetology program on her behalf, Rosa found herself in the hands of the team at Blue Ridge.
“I am super, super grateful for the people. They take the time to help me and say if I need anything to come let them know,” she said. “They made the starting process smooth and supported me throughout my studies.”
Betancourt enjoys the transformation cosmetology brings to its clients through new hairdos and styling. She says that it has brought a transformation within herself as well.
“All the time I say ‘this is like a present from God for me,’ because I’m not just going to school and studying, but it’s something more when I am doing cosmetology. It’s a joy inside,” Rosa said.
Betancourt’s tip to other adult learners is to take the very first step in the process: to ask.
“I didn’t believe I could do it for a long time, but all it takes is to go ask what is available. Go ask, for yourself and for what you want to do. It’s worth it to do it for yourself,” she said.
Betancourt hopes to one day open her own business. After graduation she will be working at a local salon.
More about Blue Ridge Community College’s Cosmetology and Esthetics program is available at www.blueridge.edu/cosmetology.
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