The Pros and Cons of Attending Cosmetology School

Mar 31, 2021

Discover the benefits of receiving a beauty school education.

When looking for education options and career opportunities, you should always be aware of the pros and cons of any potential choice. Naturally, we all seek our next chapter after high school, but what is the right next step? Looking to continue your education is a common choice as people look to specialize their skills for the job market.

If you have an interest in the beauty industry, makeup, hairstyling, or skincare, exploring programs for cosmetology school is highly recommended. However, if you are still unsure, here is a useful guide to understand all the pros and cons of receiving a cosmetology school education.

Pro: Affordable Vocational Training

One of the greatest benefits of attending cosmetology or beauty school is affordability. Whereas a traditional four-year university can cost upwards of $35,000 a year, cosmetology colleges and other trade schools have a more practical tuition—often at a fraction of the cost of these traditional universities. Besides this, you can still receive a rewarding education for this affordable price. Accredited schools offer certified programs that are maintained by a high standard of curriculum and teaching practices.

Pro: Gain Required Hours To Receive License

Ultimately, the purpose of an accredited training course is to teach you the skills necessary to become a professional cosmetologist while fulfilling the hours needed to apply for state licensure. With an accredited cosmetology program, you can trust that by completing the program you will have finished the training hours necessary to get your license. These clear results from attending school are one of the best benefits—it ensures you will have job prospects after your program. This can be less clear-cut and often circumstantial with other education options.

Con: No On-Campus Living Experience

If one is looking for dorm life or a large campus experience, cosmetology school may not be the best suited option. Typically, cosmetology or beauty schools offer more individualized and hands-on training. In this regard, there isn’t typically dorm housing or multiple campuses with huge lecture-style classes.

Pro: Start Your Career Earlier

When you attend cosmetology school, you can see clear steps to your professional goals. In states like Indiana and Kentucky, a cosmetology program will be around 1,500 hours since this is the requirement to gain your license. This can be completed in a relatively short timeframe, making the path to your dream job that much closer. For other institutions, schooling can take several years to complete, meaning that it takes longer to enter the job field.

Pro: More Flexible Class Hours

For many educational programs, such as four-year courses, your schedule becomes more and more static overtime. Typically, once someone picks their program or major, necessary courses will only have one time slot available. In this way, maintaining a job or other extracurricular activities can be difficult to manage while in school. On the other hand, cosmetology programs often offer full-time or part-time classes on a rolling basis throughout the year. This gives students more freedom over their time; they can work, see their friends and family, and maintain their social lives.

Pro: Small Class Sizes and Personalized Teaching

Often in other educational programs, there can be hundreds of students in one course. In cosmetology school, classes often remain remotely smaller for the mechanics of hands-on training and practice. This ensures that you will get effective and personalized training. You will know your instructors personally, be able to learn from the up-close, and develop a working relationship with those in your program. Often in bigger class sizes or lecture-style courses, it is common to not individually meet with your instructor during the course.

Con: Classes Focus on Specialization, Not General Education

If you’re looking to take courses on multiple subjects, you might want to explore other career opportunities rather than a vocational institution. Programs like cosmetology, esthetics, or nail technician training are all about gaining specialization in a certain trade. Courses are refined to make you an expert in your subject—ready to enter the workforce once your course is completed. Other general education courses focus on a more expansive curriculum but do not have the specialization and hands-on training quite at the level a cosmetology school does.

Pro: Clear Path to Career

The most positive aspect of seeking a cosmetology career with an accredited program is that the path to a career is relatively clearer than most education options. From the start, you pick your field of interest and know the exact job you will be doing after graduating. You earn the hours necessary to gain your license. With your license in hand, you can be working in a salon or your own business, showcasing your skills for clients in your area. In this way, cosmetology school is designed and implemented to get you the training and skills you need to become a professional cosmetologist in the most efficient manner possible.

Cosmetology school is an exciting prospect for those seeking a rewarding career in the beauty industry. It is the perfect way to apply your skills and utilize artistic talents. Enrollment advisors, like those at PJ’s Cosmetology, are happy to answer any of your questions about a program. Connect online or call today at 800-62-SALON (72566).

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Making a Job Switch

27 Sep, 2021

Whether you’ve been fired or are simply looking to take your career to the next level, switching jobs in the beauty and wellness industry takes strategy and planning. You can have a job or you can build a career; the choice is yours. If you find yourself job hopping frequently, either by choice or by circumstance, it’s going to be more difficult to establish yourself. A job switch is something to be taken seriously as the consequences of your move, both good and bad, can reverberate for months and even years. Before you make a job switch, think through these 5 things. YOU WILL LOSE BUSINESS We know it feels like everyone will follow you if you do leave, but not everyone does. Some won’t like the drive, the new salon, spa, or shop décor, or even your new team members. Some clients may even be looking for an excuse to try someone new. MULTIPLE MOVES RAISE A RED FLAG TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS Salon, spa, and shop owners look at your track record and if they see you’ve moved multiple times over the past 1-3 years, they are going to be less enthusiastic about hiring an “at risk” team member. YOU MAY BE THE PROBLEM If you have moved several times and are still not happy, then it’s time to do a checkup from the neck up. The only common denominator in your career choices is you. It’s time to stop and think about what it is you really want, write it down, and go find it. WHEN IT ISN’T WORKING, TALK IT OUT Let’s face it: there are going to be times when you just are not “feeling it,” and the love and newness has worn off. When you get to that point, reflect on what you are feeling and ask yourself, “Is it true and is it real?” If it is, then the only way to work through it is to go to the source and talk it out. If you don’t, it will fester and get worse. RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE WHAT IS WORKING Look around and appreciate the perks, joys, esthetics, flexibility, team, training, or whatever else is really great about where you work. Sometimes just shifting your thoughts can create a new perspective. Moving on After Being Fired What if your job switch is based not on choice but on circumstance and you have been fired? Being fired is extremely stressful, no matter the reason. You can find yourself struggling with all types of emotions ranging from embarrassment, anger, fear, and even depression. If you’re in this sticky situation, follow these steps to turn this potential negative into a positive. LOOK TO YOUR FUTURE It can be difficult getting past the “being fired” part, but you must move on! You have two choices: you can live in a negative space and dwell on the past or you can decide to look to your future and learn from this experience. TAKE OWNERSHIP This can be as painful as being fired itself. Spend some time taking a personal inventory of the reasons why you were dismissed. Don’t play the “blame game” and point fingers at others. Take full responsibility and turn this negative experience into a positive learning opportunity for your future. Reach out to mentors or enroll in outside education to help you grow in any areas that are keeping you from the success you are destined to achieve. MOVE FORWARD It’s time to freshen up your resume and cover letters. Be certain to point out your successes and your strengths. There is no reason to mention your dismissal at this time. INTERVIEWING During your interview for a potential new position, be prepared to answer those questions you fear the most like, “Why did you leave your last job?” Honesty is the best policy, but there’s no need to get into a long drawn out conversation about it; keep it brief. Share what you have learned and how you have made a personal commitment to learn and grow from this experience. If you have enrolled in outside education and/or have mentorship in this area be sure to share this information during your interview. For other interview tips, check out this guide. Being fired from a job can shake a person to their core. It ranks in the top of life’s most stressful situations, but if you take the initiative by enrolling in classes and reaching out to mentors to move past any barriers, you can turn things around. Job switches can happen at any time for a multitude of reasons. It’s up to you to be proactive and always go towards what you want. When you need to make big changes, make sure to do your research and make sure the changes are in the direction of your dreams. If you are interested in starting your career in cosmetology, PJ’s College of Cosmetology can help. Call us at 800-62-SALON (72566) or request information at gotopjs.com.

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