Clara has a long-held passion for makeup. In 2016, she followed this interest and started studying at ABC Academy, a makeup school in her home country of Venezuela.

In 2018, Clara moved to New Zealand with her husband and daughter. When she arrived, she didn’t speak English but knew it was a skill she would need to settle, work and succeed in New Zealand.

“When I arrived here, I didn’t speak any English. I started my English classes when I had been in the country for six months,” she shares.

Clara began her English learning journey in a beginner class at English Language Partners Taranaki. Alongside studying English, Clara was establishing a public Instagram account, sharing makeup content. Then, an unexpected opportunity came her way.

“Someone contacted me through my makeup Instagram page. She said she loved my work and offered me a job,” says Clara.

“I told her thanks but that I didn’t speak English. She told me to contact her when I was ready and so I did.”

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Persevering with learning English

Determined to improve her English, Clara studied hard. Clara was making progress, but she still needed greater English literacy skills for the customer-facing role she had been offered at her local Farmers store.

“I had my interview, but they didn’t give me the job because my English level wasn’t good,” says Clara.

Clara didn’t give up. She returned to English classes and continued learning. Being part of a class at English Language Partners gave her the opportunity to build the practical skills she needed and practise everyday English in a supportive environment.

“My current boss, who did the first interview with me, told me to study harder and in six months I’ll call you for another interview. So I did and I got the job,” says Clara.

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An exciting new makeup career

Today, Clara is the Revlon Counter Manager at Farmers New Plymouth. She loves helping her clients feel happy and enjoys sharing her makeup knowledge with them.

“I am in charge of keeping the counter tidy and clean, making sales to meet the monthly budget, and doing makeup and consulting,” shares Clara.

Outside of work, Clara continues to share her makeup expertise through her Instagram account, @claracaterinamakeup, often sharing content in English.

“It was created to inspire other people and teach a little of what I know and do,” she says.

After starting her job at Farmers, Clara continued her studies with English Language Partners. She joined an English for Employees course, which fit around her work schedule and supported her professional growth.

English for Employees helps learners build literacy skills for the workplace and understand Kiwi workplace culture – something Clara highly values.

“It is important because I want to continue adapting to this beautiful country and I want to grow professionally,” says Clara.

“I love the dynamics and learning new things.”