Alternative Career Options in the Beauty Industry
The beauty industry is attracting thousands of people every year. They sign up for beauty school classes to get formal training and networking. The dream, for most people, is to be a famous stylist with a large paycheck and a fulfilling career. It’s definitely possible and quite a few have already attained this. By the looks of things, more will be able to join their ranks. The industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and the trend is set to continue in the coming years. Estimates place the total spending on cosmetic products and services at $160 billion in 2009 alone. This staggering figure indicates that there are tremendous opportunities waiting out there.
The Resilience of the Beauty Industry
Job satisfaction is comparatively high among cosmetologists. In fact, they are ranked among the top 30 in the country. Employment outlook is quite rosy as well. During the recession, the beauty industry suffered few losses and was able to rebound quickly from it.
This demonstrates its impressive resilience to economic dips. It seems that people view beauty maintenance as a necessity rather than a luxury. Now that the worst is over, the industry is thriving. There are plenty of jobs awaiting trained experts here and abroad. The skills are transferable to virtually any location. What’s more, the industry fosters creative freedom, provides flexible work hours, and offers multiple career opportunities.
Beauty School Instructor
Graduates of beauty schools have the option of coming back to their alma mater and teaching new batches. It’s a rewarding career as all kinds of teachers will agree. Beauty school instructors can impart the lessons they learned when they entered the industry. This real world knowledge is invaluable for young students who have yet to experience working in a salon or a cosmetic company. Learning occurs both ways as instructors can also get so much from the interactions with their students.
Salon Owner or Freelancer
Stylists have an independent streak. A substantial percentage of cosmetology graduates will be able to use all the things they learned in starting their own business. After some years in the industry, they could save enough money to create a salon that bears their name. They should also have numerous loyal clients that will patronize their shop. Another option is to be an independent contractor. Stylists go on house calls and events. This provides the ultimate in freedom as the hours are very flexible.
Sales Representative
Stylists use a variety of cosmetic products on a daily basis. Their familiarity with them is second to none. This makes them perfect candidates to become sales representatives. This job offers travel opportunities across the country for promotions and special events. It should prove to be quite enjoyable for people who thrive on social interactions and a fast-paced lifestyle.
