The job outlook for cosmetology is good as the population grows and people demand more access to full service salons. If you become a cosmetologist, you will discover that your options are wide and deep. There are really not that many occupations that offer so many variations on job arrangements. You can work for others or yourself. You can work in a big salon and rent your own chair or work for a franchise that supplies everything you need. The options are endless and it all begins with obtaining good training and a cosmetology license.
When Creating Beauty is Your Idea of a Great Career!
Some people like to work with numbers while others enjoy the health care field. But there are some that stand out as being a bit more creative and wanting to work in a occupation where that creativity and artistry can be expressed. Some cosmetologists consider themselves to be artists as much as they are beauticians or hairdressers. How can 617,000 people be wrong? That’s the number of cosmetologists employed in the U.S. and that number is expected to grow to 694,000 by the year 2016.
Working with people and helping them find their most beautiful side is a rewarding occupation. You might suspect that already since you’re interested in learning more about becoming a cosmetologist. The good news is that is does not take long to go through a program and learn the skills necessary to pass the state licensing exam.
To earn the right to participate in this great career requires specialized cosmetology training and preferably at an accredited school. After just one or two years of training you will have the tools necessary to start a fulfilling and exciting career. A program in cosmetology will cover topics like:
- Hairstyling
- Colors and perms
- Hair care
- Skin Care
- Makeup
- Hair cutting
- Facial hair removal
- Chemical use and applications
- First aid
There are numerous cosmetology schools and programs found in every state. But not all schools are equal. The best schools are accredited by an independent state approved accrediting agency or organization.
The Best of the Best in Cosmetology Schools
There are private and public cosmetology schools offering programs in personal care services. Some of the programs can be completed in one year but there are also 2-year programs where you can earn an Associate’s Degree. Often, cosmetology schools are found in community college or vocational college settings.
The school you attend should be accredited because that means the program has been reviewed in terms of its comprehensiveness and its ability to prepare you for taking the state cosmetology licensing test. The accreditation signifies your program has met strict academic and institutional requirements. In addition, you can often apply for financial aid to help pay for tuition and fees if the school is accredited by certain agencies.
There are a number of accrediting agencies with the NACCAS being the largest. Following are the names of accrediting organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
- Accrediting Council for Continued Education and Training (ACCET)
- SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
To get the best jobs in the cosmetology industry you should attend an accredited school.
Time for a Cosmetology License!
After you complete your schooling it will be necessary to obtain a state cosmetology license before you seek employment. The licensing test is usually part written and part skills testing. Yes! You might have to color and perm hair and then have it inspected! That might sound a bit scary at first, but after attending a one or two year program you will have had plenty of practice already.
You cannot take a license exam until you have successfully completed a state approved training program. Before beginning any program make sure you first check into what’s expected on the exam for the cosmetology license and requirements for training.
Employers will expect you to have a license before you start working. Some of the high end salons may require the Associate’s Degree though that is not common. Some cosmetologists who get the two year Associate’s Degree do so because they plan on specializing. For example, a cosmetologist who would like to work with cancer patients might spend more time in a training program than someone who wants to work at the local hair cutting franchise.
There are many wonderful opportunities for cosmetologists and personal appearance specialists. In fact you can begin as a cosmetologist and add new skills as you develop professionally. There is a trend towards full service saloons in the industry. Being able to offer many services to your clients will help you build a client base much faster and enable you to earn more money.
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