Pulse March 2021 | Page 19

cians ; in other words , try positioning your business as a stable , full-time home for new hires , rather than one of several places they might work at as an independent contractor .

If you ’ re trying to establish a pipeline with a local school , remember that you can always start small . Many spas leaders get caught up trying to establish an internship program or teaching a full course , creating a task that is often too time-consuming for a busy work life . Instead , reach out to a local program and commit to something small . De Micco recommends participating in a career panel , such as one of NAU ’ s “ Pathways ” seminars , a one-time commitment in which professionals informally discuss what a career in their industry is like . If guestteaching a single class or participating in a seminar in-person isn ’ t an option , see if you can be a guest speaker via Zoom — one upside of 2020 is that schools and students are now more open than ever to remote presentations and webinars .

Much of what makes Generation Z distinctive to the world at large — an interest in fitness , a greater awareness of mental wellbeing , a need for a purposeful workplace — are already common among those in the spa industry . For decades , spa has appealed to those who wish to make a positive impact through their work . Generation Z , more than any generation before it , is primed to appreciate that appeal .

Digital detox has been around in the spa industry for more than two decades now , but the concept truly became a trend five to ten years ago , when Millennials began to comprise a large portion of both spa leaders and spa-goers . But does digital detox have value to Generation Z , most of whom have never known life without smartphones ? De Micco thinks so : “[ Generation Z ] is just so connected to technology , but they do understand that they have to destress and disconnect for their own health and wellbeing .”

However , the Gen Z students of De Micco ’ s class do seem to imagine a future in which technology plays a greater , not lesser , role in the spa . This belief is in part driven by the proliferation of Fitbits and Apple Watches , which are ubiquitous tech accessories among Generation Z . Adds De Micco , “ They ’ re very in-tune with their own personal fitness and they see how technology can help guests , both at the spa and after they leave the spa .”

“ A great value of working in the spa consider a career in spa management , industry is that you can make a difference ,” De Micco summarizes .“ This opened my eyes to spa , which is some-

and people said ‘ Yes , absolutely , it ’ s

generation of students feels passionate thing I ’ d never really thought about .’” about that , and that resonates with Recruiting the next generation of spa them for their careers . I feel we ’ ve had leaders , then , may be as simple as a positive impact with the class . In sharing your spa ’ s unique , authentic their journals , we asked them if they ’ d voice with today ’ s students . n

— JOANNE BERRY , Director of Wellness Education , Bellus Academy

MARCH 2021 ^■ PULSE 17