Take a look around you. It’s everywhere … you see it on TV, you see it in magazines, you see it at the mall. You see it each day while you get ready and look in the mirror. Beauty, style, and image … we all have our own ways of expressing it. How lucky is the beauty professional, who gets to be a part of it all. Where else do you get to create on a daily basis and change people’s lives? To the make-up artist, the face is their canvas. To the hairstylist, a head of hair is their unique sculpture. Beauty professionals love what they do. Though not tied together by blood, they are bonded by their love of beauty. They are united by their desire to create and change the lives of others.

What does a successful beauty career look like? An individual can build an international brand such as Jan Arnold created with Creative Nail Design, or build a world-renowned name such as John Paul DeJoria and Angus Mitchell of John Paul Mitchell Systems have done. One may become a master colorist such as Cathy Wright or one of the most innovative platform artists in the world such as Micheal O’Rourke. A beauty professional can create a one of a kind salon in practically any city in the nation. You may commute to the salon of your choice or have a thriving home-based business. It is a career with unlimited and flexible possibilities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook 2010-11 Edition projects that careers in cosmetology will grow much faster than the national average. Overall, cosmetology jobs will be growing about 20 percent for the period 2008 through 2018. These jobs aren’t just in big cities, but are in virtually every American town. Perhaps the most alluring part of a career in the beauty industry is its staying power.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Jobs in the beauty industry are not going to be moved overseas.

Jobs in the beauty industry are not likely to be replaced with technology.

Jobs in the beauty industry provide what many young people are wanting more of in their careers today — life/work balance and the opportunity to create a schedule that allows them to do what they love and also find time for their loved ones.

One of the most civic-minded things about the beauty industry is its commitment to helping others. Each year, stylists, salons, beauty schools, and manufacturers contribute thousands of hours of service to programs benefiting their community. These acts of service and beauty include cut-a-thons which help various charities such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Locks of Love fundraisers, and support of domestic violence awareness initiatives such as CUT IT OUT!

The beauty industry has phenomenal networking opportunities and educational events that are available to the beauty professional. This industry has an astounding support system not seen in most other industries. There are symposiums, trade shows, International Salon & Spa Expos, distributors that hold educational classes, and most salons hold in-house training for their staff. People in the beauty industry thrive on helping each other in their careers.

Before beginning your career you must choose a cosmetology school that is right for you. Doing your homework and weighing all your options will help you decide and get the best head start at a career in the exciting world of the beauty industry.

Questions & Answers

Should I only search for schools close to where I live? Not necessarily. While many students may like to attend a school near their home, others are willing to commute or relocate close to the school that is right for them. When touring a school, be sure to find out if it has students who are currently attending from afar. Speak with these students to find out firsthand why the school is so wonderful that they are willing to travel up to two hours, one way, just to attend.

Does the school have a website and, if so, is it informative? You should be able to get a feeling for the school and gather a lot of information from their website. Be sure to read the testimonials on the site. Make sure the testimonials are in regards to the school you are inquiring about. You will find some franchises post various testimonials, but you want to know about the school in your area. All schools, whether franchise or private, are different so beware of blanket statements.

What is the instructor-to-student ratio? Be sure to ask this very important question when touring a school. A smaller class size will definitely maximize your learning potential. You will get more personal time with your instructor and a better opportunity to bond with the other students. You do not want to be lost in a sea of students.

What are the schools job placement rates? You want to make sure the school has high placement rates and excellent working relationships with local salons for job placement when you graduate.

Does the school provide clients for you to perform services on to gain experience? Make sure your school has a busy clinic that allows you to take clients after your 200- to 250-hour mark. You don’t want to have to bring your own models to work on and you certainly don’t want to be stuck in “manikin alley” for months. Hands-on experience will better prepare you to be salon-ready. Find out how many opportunities to perform haircuts, colors, foils, etc., a graduating student has at the school.

Always try to tour, not only the school you think you are interested in the most, but other schools as well. You can better see differences between them and become much more informed to make the choice that’s right for you. Ask lots of questions, not only of the admissions representative, but the students and instructors as well. Take advantage of any free service the school offers if you take a tour and are interested in the school. This will allow you to view the school in operation, as well as to pick the brain of the student performing your service. Just be prepared for an exciting career and get ready to change lives.

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