One of the best life decisions I have ever made was choosing to become a hairstylist. Becoming involved in the beauty industry was more than just a positive career choice; it was my vocation.
If you or your son and daughter have ever had questions regarding hairdressing as a career, you have ventured to the right place. Hopefully, this brief synopsis on the positive aspects will provide a little insight on the path of beauty. If you have a love for beauty, hair makeup skin care and are constantly “checking out” how people look from the tips of their roots to the polish on their nails, this field runs through your veins.
For me, the decision to take the Beauty Culture course that was offered in my high school began as a very selfish act. Let me stop here by saying, if you live in a school district that offers Cosmetology and have an interest in the field, do not hesitate to take this program. I went to Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, NY and the course was offered in lieu of a three-year sequence of academics to prepare for a career or college education. I thought Beauty Culture would be the easy way out. Boy, was I wrong.
However, just taking and hopefully completing the required hours to take the state board examination, by know way means you are qualified to do anything within the beauty field. Whatever documentation you or your childe receive after a Cosmetology course completion means nothing within the professional world.
A graduate needs to take the state board exam in order to be licensed to practice in whichever segment of the beauty filed desired. Renewing that license and never letting it lapse will be the best money spent. For even if you choose a different career path, and hard times befall you, that little piece of paper will help you ascertain work, not the “diploma” you left the course with.
More than being a licensed professional is practically continuing education within the field, not just reading about it or watching it on the web, to bring new techniques and products to your clients, offering them your skill with the best possible service.
This is why I have such a huge issue with web content writers and Youtube posters who profess beauty knowledge. Any bozo can read, copy, paste and regurgitate information from those that do know.
Taking the courses, getting licensed and continuing education are the three basics for working within the beauty field; however, the options available throughout are bountiful, which brings me to my other selfish reason for choosing to Cosmetology. Admittedly, I am a vain person and as a young teen had unmanageable wavy/curly hair, or at least I thought. Becoming a hairstylist was my way of learning how to control my own hair to always look good. Turns out, my hair became one of my best and favorite features, as the one thing people notice first. And to sweeten the pot, I fell in love with the craft.
Having been licensed directly out of high school, I chose to go to college and embark on a different career, but I worked my way through school cutting hair. Marriage, kids, a new home, and a business in a totally different field kept me from the second career path, however, I continually had clients, educated myself with classes and expos and even found a way to bring the beauty field into my kids party place with “Glamour Birthday Parties” for little girls. Being a hairstylist, working from home, allowed me and only me to raise my children, a fact I am very proud of and something that meant a lot to me.
After the close of our business, I took my knowledge and am now trying to enlighten the beauty masses with real professional advice, while guess what, still working as a hairstylist and attending seminars and classes whenever I can.
As mentioned above, the ideas are limitless in how far one can go within the beauty field. This industry is one of the only ones not seeing a downward turn in sales within a failing economy. With boundless opportunities, the one thing I will always recommend is to make sure you acquire that state license from wherever you live.
As my first love, I can rant and rave about why hairstyling is a positive career choice, but for the sake of boring my readers, I will stop here. If you are a budding hairstylist feel free to use the contact form to send me any questions you may have. I am here to help. No question is a stupid one. And don’t forget, Wednesdays, I will be posting answers to reader questions.
Be beautiful and Happy Styling!
©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior written permission and consent from the author
A writer, author, NY & NJ State licensed cosmetologist, store and salon manager, beauty educator and executive school director, Deirdre Haggerty has been actively involved in the hair and beauty industry in New York & New Jersey for over 30 years.
Now get online help to pass your licensing exams in any of the states throught the country. Send Deirdre an email for more information regarding an online tutoring sesssion for the written and practical exams at asktheprostylist@gmail.com.
