You made the decision to finally work towards your dream of being a cosmetologist, congrats! Now, which cosmetology institution will you be attending? With so many choices out there, it’s kinda hard to find the right one, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. With all those questions and concerns floating around in your head, we’ve included 7 tips that most of us graduates wish we knew that would have helped in choosing a cosmetology school, and will hopefully make the decision making process go a lot smoother for you. The sooner you take your pick, the sooner you are making a name for yourself in the beauty industry!
So let’s take a look at some important tips you should know…
1. Start Looking For Financial Help.
When it comes to schooling, whether a cosmetology school or a four year college, it’s not cheap. You’re talking thousands of dollars investing in your education, so you might as well make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Call the schools you’re interested in to compare prices and choose the school that’s right for you. Not everyone can afford to attend cosmetology school, but there are other options to make your dream a reality. Look for scholarships, grants and financial aid to assist with tuition. Many schools will also allow you to pay in monthly installments which can also help lessen the financial blow to your wallet.
2. Know Your Career Goal.
Does the school you’re looking at have the right program for you? No two cosmetology schools are identical and one may lean more towards hair, while others are geared towards skincare, so find which is right for you. What are your top priorities for your future career? How many hours do you need to graduate? Can you work with their class schedule? These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself when making comparisons. Before making any final decisions, schedule a tour during school hours, and really see what you would be expecting, then sleep on it. Don’t sign anything until you’ve read everything, slept on it and given yourself time to process.
3. Always Ask If There Are Any Hidden Costs Or Fees.
You’re already spending big bucks on your education, so the last thing you need is to find any additional costs or fees. Some schools may have you purchase your own supplies and several uniforms in addition to your tuition, while others may simply have a single lab fee being charged. If you’re one who oversleeps or likes to play ‘hookie’ on occasion, you may want to ask if there are any fines charged for any late or missed days. It’s best to find a school that gives you a trial period, whether 2 days or even a week, to decide for yourself if this is something you want to continue. Although at most institutions students receive a full refund if it’s not right for them. (Although many schools return just half).
4. Check Out Your Instructors.
First off, everyone deserves a chance. That being said, many people want to find an instructor that has years of experience in the industry, while others may not mind a teacher without a long resume. We live in the age of this magical thing called ‘Google’ and can usually find a person in a matter of seconds, so use this to your advantage and look up potential instructors and see for yourself what they’ve done in the industry…did they work with celebs? Featured in a magazine? Any awards? You may even find positive and possibly negative reviews from alumni. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask about the instructor’s work experience and resume. This is the person you’ll be learning from, so choose wisely.
5. Be Ready To Be A Guinea Pig For Your Classmates.
This is something many of us wish we knew ahead of time! In order for you to be able to properly do your work, you must know what it’s like to also have it done. This means when learning how to properly wax, you’ll have to stop shaving, tweezing and even stop laser hair removal sessions (regardless how much money you’ve put out). Have you always had long, virgin hair and never imagined cutting it? When you’re in school prepare to have some good (and bad…okay sometimes really bad!) haircuts and coloring jobs by your peers. There’s a plus to this though, these experiences truly will grow a strong bond with your classmates, and for many of us lucky ones, we were fortunate enough to meet our best friends there (and have lots of fun reminiscing with a glass of wine!).
6. Will They Help With Job Placement?
Many schools will help you with finding a job after graduating, while others may leave you to fend for yourself. Specifically ask these schools if they provide you with contacts, available job postings, freelance gigs, and even if they allow students to use them as a reference when trying to find work. Although the industry is a popular one, making connections is a huge step in becoming successful! So what can they do for you after graduation, that can help you find a job sooner?
And The Most Important Tip Is…. {Drumroll, please}
7. WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING!
There are so many questions running through your head when trying to find the right school, you may forget to ask the majority of them before it’s too late. Start off by creating a list of wants and priorities that you need in a school and list them in order of importance. Once that list is complete, begin jotting down questions and concerns you may have, and always refer to the sheet when talking to registration whether in person or on the phone. The writing doesn’t stop there, jot down who you speak with, any numbers that are discussed, so you can not only use it as a reference, but you can compare schools easier. As simple of a tip as it may seem, with our busy schedules and the various schools you’ll be comparing, it may be difficult to keep track of everything. Writing it all down takes only a few minutes but it will save you from any surprises or fine print.
As much as you may be super excited to start training for your dream career, taking the first steps is typically the hardest. Between trying to figure out where to begin, what steps to take and the truly frightening question of “will I be able to afford it?”, the decision to attend cosmetology school may feel a bit overwhelming at first. Besides doing thorough research and asking questions, the biggest tip before starting will definitely WRITING IT ALL DOWN! Every want, need, question, concern, or quam, write it all down and don’t ever be scared to ask…this is your career we’re talking about here.
The demand for cosmetologists is growing and will continue to rise in the years to come, so why not do something you’ll not only love, but you’ll also have fun doing?
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