This week our Featured Student is Kaitlin Occhipinti. I met with Kaitlin for the first time in August, and I was immediately impressed with her drive and ambition. She came in to tour with clear goals in mind, and appeared to be the type of student who was going to do it all, and do it well. She began her journey with us this past September, and I am ecstatic to say that so far in her few months here, she has consistently proved to be hard working, reliable, and extremely goal oriented.

NYIB: So Kaitlin, hello! Tell us a little about yourself.

Kaitlin: My name is Kaitlin, I am 21 years old. There’s a lot, I don’t know what to say (haha). Ultimately, I want to be a makeup artist. I used to be a soccer player, I was Nationally ranked.  But then I decided the route that I was going with that, I wasn’t into it as much anymore. So, I finally started doing this.

NYIB: Oo, Nationally ranked! Very impressive. What drew you away from soccer and towards the Beauty industry?

Kaitlin:  I always knew I wanted to do it, and I would do it a little on other people like family and friends, but I wasn’t licensed or really prepared. And then I thought, “Wow, I could have a good career at this if I was more educated.” And then I found out about this program, as well as the other things that come with it, and I figured it would all help me to break out of my shell.

NYIB: (For the record, I do not believe Kaitlin has a shell! I have never seen it 😊!)

NYIB:  So, you said before you were playing soccer. What else were you doing?

Kaitlin: I was majoring in exercise and fitness health, I wanted to become a personal trainer. I recently lost 100 pounds, so I felt that being a personal trainer was what I wanted to do as a career. But then there was way too much science, and I am not good with that much science! And I knew I loved makeup.

NYIB: So, what drew you to choose our school out of all of your options?

Kaitlin: Honestly, the reviews.  I googled “make up schools” and all the reviews here were just top notch, and I figured I had to come check it out.  And when I came and learned you were a Make-Up Designory Partner school, I was sold.

NYIB:  We are very excited about our partnership with such a great institution! Now, before you did the Esthetics program you actually completed our MUD 84 hour Beauty Essentials program first, correct?

Kaitlin: Yes, I did that and I also have taken the airbrush class. And I will likely do more of the advanced makeup classes.

NYIB:  So why did you decide to go through our MUD makeup program first and then the Esthetics licensing program?

Kaitlin: Once I saw all that the Make up Team does, its record, everything, ultimately, I knew I had to be a part of it. And I knew by doing the makeup program first, I had a shot at better opportunities faster with the team due to the training.

NYIB: What have been some of the events you have participated in with the NYIB Make Up Team?

Kaitlin: In the last 4 months, I have done New York Fashion Week, Brooklyn Fashion Week, some charity events like World of Pink which raises money for women who have had reconstructive surgery due to breast cancer.  Last month I did the NY Angels pageant which is a pageant for children with disabilities. Oh, and this week I did Toys of Hope which raises money for underprivileged kids, and I worked on a movie set for the film “Room 16!”

One of the most exciting events has been working with Grungy Gentlemen, a menswear line that has a collaboration with the New York Knicks and Rangers. I did a photoshoot all by myself with them for their new line, and I will be working their runway show soon.

NYIB: Wow, you have done a ton in such a short time! Do you have anything coming up?

Kaitlin: I actually was just speaking to Humaira (our Make Up Team coordinator) and I am already booked for a bunch of shows for NYFW in February.  First show is on my birthday, so yay! I am going to continue to utilize every opportunity I have, because this school and team provides so much and it’s just crazy not to take it!

NYIB: So, you have been with us for a little bit now. You completed some makeup courses, and now are a couple of months into Esthetics. What has been the most interesting thing you have learned?

Kaitlin: Honestly, time management. Being able to do all different looks and understand that a look that seems like it will only take 5 minutes might take 40, and the crazy look that seems super complicated can actually be done fast.  Good time management is everything!

Skin care has really been catching my attention too though. I am really falling in love with it.

NYIB: What are some of your goals for after you graduate our Esthetics program?

Kaitlin: So many different things! I have different stages. I want to continue to build my portfolio, work with higher end clients, and I really want to look in to joining the Union.  I have been getting a lot of advice from Ms. Tobi (One of our fabulous Makeup Instructors!) because she is in the union. If for some reason that doesn’t work out, then I definitely want to open up my own salon sooner rather than later.

NYIB: Do you have any advice for someone else that may be hesitant to take the jump like you did?

Kaitlin: Honestly? Just do it. Take that leap of faith.  Because you never know. And that’s been one of the great things about this school. I have worked photoshoots, events, fashion, movies. This school helps you to find your niche and figure out what you really want to do.

NYIB: And do you think you would have been able to discover your niche as quickly without the school?

Kaitlin: I don’t think so! I had no prior experience, no one to guide me. Here I am finding out that I love fashion shows and photoshoots, so getting that experience and mentorship while at shows and learning, it’s amazing. It’s like another class, but in real world!

NYIB: I want to thank Miss Kaitlin so much for sitting down with me and chatting. We here at NYIB look forward to continuing to see her grow as an artist and can’t wait to see all that is going to accomplish in her future!

Interviewed and written by Megan Leitch, L.E., NYIB Admissions Representative.