How to Know if a Hairstylist Career is Right for You How to Know if a Hairstylist Career is Right for You
Plus, How to Choose a Cosmetology School Near You
People who’ve just graduated from high school or who are looking for a career change would be wise to look into a cosmetology career. Becoming a cosmetologist requires lots of training – but it can be completed in as little as 10 months in some states – and it gives you the freedom of choosing exactly what you want to do at work and when.
Cosmetology school students, like those who attend Eric Fisher Academy in Wichita, Kansas, learn a variety of skills, including hair cutting and styling, hair coloring, nail care, and make-up application. This gives beauty school grads the opportunity to forge their own path. But cosmetology isn’t for absolutely everyone. Do you have what it takes to be a hairstylist?
You’re a “People Person”
One thing you cannot change about being a hairstylist is that you interact with your clients all day long. Hairstylists can converse with lots of different people and are highly skilled at building relationships. That’s part of the reason their clients keep coming back to them over and over (and for really great hair cuts, obviously).
If you’ve heard the phrase “people person,” then you know that it means someone who excels at and enjoys interacting with and being around other humans. If you aren’t a people person, you might not want to become a hairstylist.
You Already Have an Interest in Hair, Skin, and Nails
Hair stylists and cosmetologists probably grew up loving trying new styles with their hair, applying nail polish, and practicing makeup looks. Those are three very big aspects of the profession, so if you have no interest in these things, cosmetology might not be for you.
The good news is that before you start cosmetology school, you don’t have to be particularly good at any of these things – just have a motivation to learn and a drive to practice so you can develop your skills.
People Have Told You that You “Have an Eye” for Design
If you’ve had an interest in artistic pursuits, cosmetology also may be right for you. If you have a knack for shape and color in art, you will likely be successful in applying those strategies to hair styling and coloring, because those are actually key components of what cosmetologists use to create remarkable and unique haircuts that complement their clients’ features.
If you are one of those people who just know what looks good, or if you can imagine the look of something before you’ve ever produced it, cosmetology may be a good career choice for you.
You Want an Opportunity to Work in a Salon, or Be Self-Employed
Hair salons are high-energy places, always bustling with a variety of people. When they’re full, they can be loud, with bright conversations happening around you coupled with the hum of hair dryers and other styling tools. Hair stylists are usually on their feet all day, using their hands to perform their work.
If this doesn’t sound like something that appeals to you, then working in a salon might not be the best fit for you. Of course, there are other cosmetology career options – a lengthy list, actually! But when you first graduate from cosmetology school, you’ll likely work in a salon for a while as you continue to polish your skills.
Cosmetologists have lots of opportunities outside the salon, too, especially when it comes to self-employment. Many start their own businesses, styling clients for special events, or they work in other industries that require their expertise.
Finding a Cosmetology School in Kansas
If you’re set on becoming a hairstylist, then attending cosmetology school is your first step. You’ll need to find a quality cosmetology school in Kansas. You might want to tour any school you’re considering to gain an understanding of what it would be like to become a student there.
When you tour, look around the facility and ask to speak to students and staff alike. You should ask questions like, “What is cosmetology to you?” and “What is it like being a cosmetology student?” Talk to the faculty and staff about future employment options their recent graduates have, too.
When you finally find the right school, it’s time to apply to attend and get accepted!
Financial Aid for Cosmetology School in Kansas
The best cosmetology schools are qualified to offer financial aid to their students in the form of student loans and potentially grants. Financial aid advisers who the school employs can help you navigate getting the funding you need to attend.
In most cases, if you take out student loans, you won’t need to begin repaying them until after graduation, and some don’t even start accruing interest until then, too! The financial aid advisers at Eric Fisher Academy in Wichita, Kansas, can help you determine what type of financial aid you qualify for so that you’ll be all set to attend school. The best part is that all your tools, equipment, and books are included in your tuition and fees, so there are no surprises.
Starting Your Cosmetology Career
After graduation, you’ll complete a board exam with your state to obtain your license. Everything you learned in cosmetology school prepares you for this test. Once you’re licensed, you’re free to begin your cosmetology career!
Take the first step today by contacting us at Eric Fisher Academy, a world-renowned beauty school in Wichita, Kansas, to learn how you can join our school and change your life and the lives of others as a cosmetologist. Our next sessions start soon, so don’t delay!
