Is Cosmetology School Right For You?

3 Ways to Know If Cosmetology School is Right For You

If you stumbled onto this article by chance, you might be wondering, “What is cosmetology school?” Cosmetology school is where you go to become a licensed hairstylist. You may also learn to do eyelash extensions, manicures, pedicures and some skin care. In other words, cosmetology school is where you learn to make your clients look great.

But like everything worth doing, cosmetology school is a lot of work. It takes not just raw talent but time, money and dedication. Here are three questions that will tell you if you should go to cosmetology school.

Do You Want to Be a Cosmetologist?

It sounds like a silly question, but it’s an important one. If you’re embarking on this path, you should be passionate about the artistry of styling hair or designing nails.

You must also enjoy working with people. Being a hairdresser or nail artist requires constant one-on-one interaction with clients, many of whom may treat you as a confidant. You’ll also have to touch their hair, faces and hands. Plenty of people like the idea of styling hair until they remember it’s attached to a real live person. Others relish the idea of working with clients. If this is you, cosmetology school could be ideal.

Another part of being a cosmetologist is meeting client demands and taking honest, real-time feedback. The vision you have for a client’s hair is not necessarily what he or she will want for themselves. A key part of being a stylist is providing a high-quality cut or treatment that makes your client feel good.

Also, the careers cosmetology school prepares you for are often physically demanding. As a hairstylist, you’ll spend long hours on your feet every day. If you’re on board with all of this, keep reading.

Does Cosmetology School Fit Into Your Life?

At this point, you might be thinking, “Wait, what’s cosmetology school like?” Like your high school classes, cosmetology school is a combination of reading, lectures and homework, plus hands-on practice with mannequins and real people. If you’re a quick learner who can absorb information in different ways, you may very well thrive.

But no matter how qualified you are, attending cosmetology school has logistical challenges. It may be that an internet search for “cosmetology school near me” shows you that you’re a stone’s throw from one or multiple trade schools. Yet the nearest cosmetology school may also be some distance away. If so, do you have a reliable way to get to class? And if you are already employed in another field, do you really have time to take part-time or nighttime cosmetology classes?

Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid packages for students. But the amount of aid available and the conditions attached to it might also impact whether or not you decide to enroll.

Are You Willing to Push Yourself?

Cosmetology is a continuously growing field, yet it’s also a very competitive one. Successful hairstylists and nail artists are goal-oriented self-starters. You might think that a certificate or diploma from a good cosmetology school will set you up for automatic success, but it’s just the first step.

Success as a cosmetologist requires not only the technical ability but great people skills and business management. The best hairdressers are constantly improving in all these areas. Your technique can be honed by taking additional classes, keeping up with the latest styles and trends, and constant practice. People skills and business management can be studied but are often developed through trial and error. That means learning from mistakes and readjusting.

Cosmetology school can prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career. It’s not the right path for everyone. But if you answered “yes” to these three questions, it is something you should strongly consider. Cosmetologists who are passionate about their work revel in the artistry of their craft—and making the world a more beautiful place.

Contact us for more information on how you can get started today!