Just Accepted Beauty Student Feels That She Belongs at FIDM

Name: Gabriella Mary Blandino-Vasquez

Age: 17 years old

Major: Beauty Industry Merchandising & Marketing Major

Hometown: Palm Springs, California

Admissions Advisor: Kellie Peterson

Tell us a little about yourself. I am the only daughter to my parents, Ernie and Josie. My older brother Ernie, Jr., is one year and eleven months older than me. I was born and raised in Palm Springs, California, and attend Palm Springs High School. While at Palm Springs High, I enjoyed playing varsity soccer since my freshman year. 

How did you hear about FIDM? About two years ago, my mom and I were discussing what I would like to “be when I grew up.” I really had no idea. My passions were soccer and fashion. Well, I knew I could never make a living as a professional soccer player. So, my mom told me about FIDM, and I looked it up on the internet. I looked at all of the campuses online and the majors that FIDM had to offer. 

Why did you decide to attend FIDM? To be honest, I had no idea that any college would offer courses that I would be interested in. We went to an open house at the Los Angeles FIDM campus and from that moment on I was hooked! I knew I belonged at FIDM. Another reason, and most importantly, I am an artistic person that learns differently. I learn better by doing projects instead of sitting listening to lectures and taking notes. When looking at the curriculum for the majors that are offered at FIDM, they were interesting, artistic, and “hands on.” This makes a much better learning environment for me.

How did you choose your major? When I went in to meet with my counselor, Kellie, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I liked everything! With her guidance and expertise, she asked the right questions, so it made it easier to decide the right course for me. While being an athlete was wonderful, it didn’t come without a few distractions! I found myself breaking out with “exercise induced hives.” I would also break out if I was overheated or very cold. I went to several doctors and no one could give me reasons for this; nor could they give me any relief. This, in addition to my sensitive skin issues, bothered me so much. 

I had been to several doctors, including dermatologists. I have tried every skin product on the market and spent thousands of dollars trying to find something that would work for my skin. It has been very frustrating. So, Kellie suggested the Beauty Industry major and it sounded very interesting and fun!

What are you most excited to learn? Honestly, I am excited to know that my first classes will be those that will spotlight my chosen major right away. I am so tired of all the “required” high school classes that I find myself losing interest in going to school at all. Now, I have found a new excitement knowing that when I do start my college classes, they will be new and exciting and not your typical college English and History classes. I am also excited to explore my artistic abilities, and I feel at FIDM I will be able to do that.

What do you expec to gain by attending FIDM? I expect that FIDM will provide me with the tools I need to succeed in my chosen profession. I also expect I will continue my education after my first two years and receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.

My goal is that when all is said and done, and I have received my degree in my chosen major, I will have the knowledge and experience to find employment in something that I will love doing. I couldn’t imagine myself working for the next 30 to 40 years of my life doing something that I HAVE to do, instead of doing what I WANT and LOVE to do.

Learn more about the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.....

Comments

[shagun]

But do we see some serious money in careers for this degree?