Achieving dreams of a beauty career

Sharni Chandler overcame years of bullying at school to become a prize-winning make-up artist and successful business owner.

"I was badly bullied at school – from Year 5 through to Year 11. In the end I was followed home and attacked, which led to me leaving school. But I took this set back as an opportunity to make my dreams a reality.

I set myself the goal of studying hair and make-up at VU because I loved the work I had seen students produce. My first application was not accepted but I didn't give up, and the interview process allowed me to prove myself as a worthy candidate my teachers were thrilled to enrol.

I loved the Diploma of Screen and Media – being challenged by the courses, but also being pushed to be as creative as I could be.

My passion for make-up and beauty motivated me to start my own business Sharni Rose Beauty – at first it was a hobby but I've gained quite a lot of clientele from my community and now it's my full-time profession.

In my final year, with great support from my teachers at VU, I won my first make-up competition. Gaining first place in the Hair and Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) Championships for the category of Magazine Front Cover Make-Up was one of my biggest career achievements."

Sharni studied

Certificate III in Hairdressing SIH30111 (superseded by Certificate III in Hairdressing SHB30416)

Diploma of Screen and Media CUA51015 (superseded by CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media)