I earned my tax preparer badge in September of 2024. A tax preparer is someone who files your tax return. We file taxes for both individuals and businesses. A client brings all of their financial documents to the office or uploads them online where we review all of the relevant information. Once we thoroughly comb through the necessary documents we calculate deductions, tax credits, and submit for the best results.

     Earning my badge represents more to me than just a passing score. Passing the tax preparer exam has been an important milestone in my professional development. Employers value candidates who have exemplified initiative and are equipped with specialized knowledge, and becoming a tax preparer proves my ability to handle important financial information responsibly. As a tax preparer I’ve gained valuable insight into tax regulations, specialized knowledge and problem-solving techniques.

    I initially struggled to believe in myself. I did not think I had what it took to pass the exam, even though I passed the prep exams.  I gathered the courage and committed to taking the exam. I was delighted to see I had passed the course exam and earned my badge. Passing the exam has been a fulfilling life experience for me.  

An esthetician is a professional skin health specialist. The role of an esthetician is to assess the client's skin type, address any skin related concerns and recommend a personalized treatment plan for the clients. We provide exfoliating cleansers, anti-aging skin nourishing applications, hydrating and rejuvenating skin treatments during a facial. If a client addresses a common concern of redness and acne, we offer treatments such as anti-acne or peels along with products for at home use. An esthetician is there to provide a safe relaxing environment for clients who are in need of pampering and relaxation for the day.

The skills I learned from my teacher, outside of the general skin care routine, were to listen to each client on a personalized individual basis. When treating a client for the first time get to know them. Give your client extra time during their initial visit to explain their concerns. Always obtain clear list of products a client is currently using to avoid over-stimulating the skin or injuring your client with products that do not mix well with their current regimen. 

Clear healthy skin can improve the self-esteem of anyone going through a period of despair over declining skin health. We are trained in the skin health industry within our scope of knowledge. If a client is suffering from conditions outside of our practical skills, we recommend they seek immediate assistance from a dermatologist. 

The lesson I learned from working in the skin care industry is that healthy skin goes far beyond beauty. Having unhealthy skin can impact a person's mental well-being. Adult acne or childhood acne can lower an individual's self-confidence especially when they have turned to over the counter products that seemingly make matters worse. I cannot stress the importance enough of listening to clients and showing compassion and empathy when they address their concerns. Treat each client the way you would want to be treated if you were the one sitting in that seat.  

I received two certifications during the spa and salon shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first certification is a coronavirus clinical safety course through the International School of Aesthetics. The second certification is through Barbicide, a professional beauty industry training course. They are both certifications to educate professionals in the industry about the importance of sanitation practices and infection control. The third training course was through the American Red Cross on bloodborne pathogens. I assumed they would all be helpful for when we returned to working in the salon and skincare industry. 

In 2020 the outbreak of COVID-19 dramatically changed the way salons and spas operated, especially if located in California. Salons involve close personal contact with clients which made them a target and were considered high risk environments for spreading the virus. The classes taught us extensive sanitary training, the use of personal protective equipment and to manage safe appointment times. We were not allowed an overlap of clients. There were 15-minute wait times before a client could enter due to sanitary maintenance. We were not allowed a client waiting area, nor could we offer beverages to clients. State requirements enforced the salon closures until February of 2021. We were required to comply with health regulations in order to prevent salons from facing another shutdown. 

The lesson that I learned through the training was to build trust with your clients. Show your clients that you care about their health and well-being. We could not predict the future of any industry. We were all uncertain about how the pandemic would fade out. During this time, I felt a tremendous responsibility to protect clients as well as my family from being infected with the virus.