The special Success Stories series, which looks back at the academic journey and professional lives of the winners of the 2022 Academic Excellence Award, today features the story of Marcilene Castellani, who stood out in the aesthetic health specialization through overcoming obstacles and achieving milestones. A mother, aesthetician, and CEO of an aesthetic center, she has a journey that inspires and captivates those around her.
Marcilene, a resident of Teófilo Otoni in the state of Minas Gerais, was awarded in the category “Influencer's Choice #lideresdesucesso”, for her participation, interaction, and commitment to supporting and spreading knowledge related to her field.
Today the aesthetician is CEO of a space dedicated to aesthetic health and divides her time between being a successful businesswoman and the mother of two children who, during her specialization, were right there with her, “sharing” Marcilene's attention. While finishing her program she was pregnant with her daughter Elena, Enrique's sister. All her effort was rewarded, and now she faces the job market with dedication and continues to stand out, becoming a reference in her region with personalized, quality care.
Getting Started in Aesthetic Health
Marcilene kicked off the Postgraduate Program in Aesthetic Health while still pregnant with her daughter Elena, little sister of young Enrique, who was a study “partner” to his mom during the specialization. Being so young, Enrique depended on his mother's attention, and many women know how hard it is to split yourself between household chores and professional or academic life. For Marcilene it was no different. She says this was a great battle she had to face to earn the long-awaited diploma.
“To start this adventure, I was in my second pregnancy, pregnant with Elena, and I still had Enrique always on my lap or nearby, dividing my attention while my little one moved in my belly. It was a huge challenge and a huge victory”.
To top it off, this period happened while the world was going through one of its worst moments, the Covid-19 pandemic. Marcilene recalls that because in-person activities were canceled, she was able to spend a good amount of time at home, which contributed to her focus and commitment to her studies.
“I'll confess that this (completing the postgraduate program) was only possible because of the adjustments during the pandemic; after all, the hands-on sessions were suspended and I was able to spend my postpartum period at home without hurting my activities”.
“By the time the clinical immersions came around, my daughter was already starting solid foods, which coincided and helped me at that moment”.
Marcilene reveals that one of the strengths of the specialization was the participation of her classmates and the teacher of the clinical immersion, held at the Vitória, ES campus. She says the process was very productive and that she worked hard to take in as much information as possible.
“It was wonderful! We spent 15 days under the supervision of Professor Jeanete, who delighted everyone with so much theoretical and practical knowledge. I got to practice all the procedures I had seen in theory. I'm very dedicated, and during the hands-on classes I was focused on giving my best and soaking up as much as possible of everything we were experiencing”.
Dedication, Commitment, and Partnership in the Clinical Immersions
Marcilene stood out for her active participation in the specialization. Focused and determined, she immersed herself in the content and sought to absorb as much information as possible so she could finish the postgraduate program and enter the job market as a qualified professional prepared for the challenges ahead.
She highlights how important the immersions were for her growth, considering all the support Nepuga provides to its students.
“I went in focused on facial aesthetic procedures, but if I had to work with body, I feel I came out qualified for those procedures because of the number of hands-on sessions I did”.
“I had the chance both to be a model for the procedures and to perform them on classmates and outside models we received. I was surprised by the abundance of products for the applications, and that exceeded my expectations!”
Now a practicing aesthetician, she says she still keeps in touch with the class and the professor to exchange feedback and that this relationship is essential for her improvement as a professional. “The class we formed for those hands-on sessions was made up of very supportive colleagues, and we still keep in touch. I also can't fail to mention the generosity of Professor Jeanete, who still evaluates some of the results I send her, and the exchange of ideas is always very kind!”.
A Competent, Award-Winning Professional
Marcilene holds a postgraduate degree from Nepuga, but her learning in aesthetics doesn't stop there. In all, the aesthetician has completed six specializations, with Aesthetic Health here at Nepuga being the most challenging, according to her.
She points out that facing the aesthetics market is quite difficult, since there are various controversies between professional classes that end up harming the work of these good professionals.
The owner of her own business, she has fought and continues to fight hard to earn her place. There were weekends of study, moments that could have been leisure time that she devoted to classes, and even vacations were set aside so she could pursue her goal, but all of it was well worth it.
“I would watch the theory classes and do the graded activities the same weekend. In short, you give up some things for a while. But when you have a goal and a purpose, everything is worth it. I remember that during the hands-on classes I was posting content on my social media and my clients were already messaging me in DMs: I want it, I want it!”.
A Purpose That Paid Off.
Even during the specialization, Marcilene's social media was already “buzzing” with messages from people seeking some kind of treatment with the aesthetician. Demand was so great that she won loyal clients and made up for the time and money invested.
“When I got back to seeing patients, I ran a project called a scheduled Botox Day, and within a few months I had already earned back my investment in the postgraduate program”.
To achieve all this, she needed organization, planning, persistence, dedication, focus, and even giving up some things for a while. After all, as a mother of two young children, with a family to care for in addition to the aesthetics business, balancing it all is only possible when you believe and have the courage to roll up your sleeves and go after your dream.
Engaged in the world of aesthetics, Marcilene also shares her knowledge on social media, where she is active and her professional profile has more than 14 thousand followers.
It is through her company that she also became a successful businesswoman, offering various courses and training new professionals for the aesthetics market.
Another Achievement for Her Career
When told she had been recognized for her effort and commitment, Marcilene was moved and said she hadn't expected such an honor, but all her struggle and perseverance throughout her life, academic, professional, and personal, reveal the reasons for the award. A strong, independent, warrior woman who spares no effort to achieve and find her best self.
“I was extremely flattered and happy about this recognition. I really didn't expect it. I was surprised to hear from you. It was all very hard, with a lot of effort and dedication, and it feels great to be recognized for it”.
For the future, Marcilene has many new dreams and goals. The Postgraduate Program in Aesthetic Health was crucial to her development. Today, with satisfying results at her clinic, she is excited about what's to come.
“I really want to keep evolving, so new study projects are on the way. I want to deliver the very best to the patients who trust me. My status has definitely changed after this specialization. Today I can offer more resources for my patients to reach their treatment goals”.
Evolution. That is the word that defines Marcilene. A woman who is always aiming for her best self and who adapts to overcome her obstacles. It's no accident that she is among the standouts of the 2022 academic year and will surely keep shining as a great aesthetician.
Academic Highlights|Academic Excellence Award|Success Stories>Aesthetic HealthRafael Alves
NEPUGA content team — Núcleo de Especializações Ana Carolina Puga.
