At 27, the biomedical professional Elias carries with him not only his undergraduate diploma, but also a restlessness common to many recent graduates: the search for a real place in the job market.
Graduating with high expectations and multiple interests within biomedicine — among them hematology, forensics and aesthetics — he discovered over time that the most promising path, the one most aligned with who he is, lay in the very field that had always attracted him personally and professionally: from biomedicine to aesthetics.
His first contact with Nepuga happened back in 2017, during a lecture on aesthetic biomedicine. The event was memorable, not only for the topic, but because the speaker was a former Nepuga student himself, as were other classmates who had followed the same path. That is where Elias's decision began to take shape.
Among so many institutions, he noticed that Nepuga had something extra: a solid history, recognition in the market and, above all, inspiring leadership.
“She was the one who started it all, who fought for the profession.”
The deciding factor was, without a doubt, the name behind the institution. The career of Dr. Ana Carolina Puga, a national reference in aesthetic biomedicine and a pioneer in the fight for the field's recognition, is what impacted Elias the most. “She was the one who started it all, who fought for the profession.
Knowing that the institution carries that DNA made all the difference,” he says with admiration. He felt he wasn't just choosing a course, but becoming part of a legacy.
Since the start of his degree, Elias was already torn between different fields – hematology, forensic expertise and aesthetics – but he never neglected taking care of his own appearance. Vain, in a good way, he saw in aesthetics not only an opportunity to care for others, but also to apply knowledge he already valued in himself.
Identifying with the field came naturally, and choosing the postgraduate program at Nepuga was inevitable.
The discouraging outlook for working in Clinical Analysis
Today, although he is not working directly in biomedicine – a consequence of a clinical analysis market increasingly closed to recent graduates without experience — Elias works as a salesperson. But aesthetics came along as a turning point. “The market is very tough for anyone who wants to get into clinical analysis.
Aesthetics was the viable, promising alternative, and one that genuinely appeals to me,” he says. And more than a solution, it became a real plan for the future.
One of the differentiators he values most at Nepuga is the hybrid format of the postgraduate program. With online theory classes, Elias can watch when he is able, balancing his work routine with his studies.
“That is essential for anyone who already has commitments. I organize my time and I still complete the course hours,” he explains.
But it is in the in-person hands-on classes that he feels the real leap in his training. For Elias, those are the moments that provide the foundation needed to work safely. “The practical sessions are being very enriching.
The professors follow along, explain clearly and give all the support so we feel ready. That gave me confidence that I'm on the right path,” he says.
“Going from biomedicine to aesthetics is for those who love it, are interested and want to transform”
Elias is already making plans for after the course. His interest is in body harmonization, with an emphasis on gluteal procedures. He believes this field is likely to grow even more and offers a vast field for those who want to start a business and stand out. He also stresses that aesthetics is not, as many imagine, a field limited to the face.
“It's a very broad field. It goes from facial to body, including trichology, biostimulators and much more. There's room for many professional profiles,” he explains.
According to him, the most important thing is to have a real connection with the field. “Aesthetics is for those who love it, are interested and want to transform. Is there financial return? There is. But more than that, it requires passion, curiosity and a willingness to always keep studying.” This mature outlook reflects his commitment and the clarity with which he sees the next steps in his career.
The experience with Nepuga is not just an educational stage in Elias's life. It is the building of a new beginning. He knows aesthetics represents the chance to start over professionally in a field where he can actually grow, have independence and autonomy – something that, until then, seemed out of reach. And more than that: he is getting access to training that respects the student's time, offers ongoing support and truly prepares you for the market.
For those still undecided, Elias is categorical: “If you're interested, go for it. The field is rich, full of possibilities. And if it's with an institution that has history, that stands up for the profession, like Nepuga, even better. You come out prepared.”
So, between online classes, intense hands-on sessions and new dreams taking shape, Elias keeps building a career with purpose. And he shows that, with courage, direction and the right partner on the journey, it is possible to turn difficulties into opportunities and build a bright future in aesthetic health.
Mariana Lucera
NEPUGA content team — Núcleo de Especializações Ana Carolina Puga.
