A Career in Cosmetology
A Real Student's Opinion
In 2009 I was in my senior year of high school. In English class I was asked to write an essay on what I wanted to do with my life after graduation, what I wanted to accomplish, and the right career for me. I was so excited to write about being a hair stylist and had a lot to say. Ever since I was little I have always wanted to be a hair stylist. I remember when my little sister would come wake me up at 6 am to do her hair before she left to catch her bus for school. I did it every morning. Throughout my high school years I never had support from my family like I should have had to follow my dreams. I always thought, "How am I going to do this all by myself with no help or support?" They wanted nothing to do with it. I worked at a fast food restaurant my junior and senior year, and I still work there now while in school. I had a couple people I knew that were hair stylists, and I looked up to them. I had many questions for them on how to get started and what to do. They explained to me that they loved their careers being a hair stylist and that by doing it they are able to support themselves financially.
I didn't even know where to begin the process of entering into a career as a stylist. One of my friends who is a hair stylist told me about the hair school she attended. For the next couple weeks I looked into her school and made some calls. I needed to know the schedule, but most of all how much it would cost and how I was going to pay for it. I called and set up an appointment with the school's admissions rep. We sat down and talked about what I could do and how to do it. She scheduled an appointment for me to come in and tour the school. I went in and took a tour of the school, went over class schedules, and how their system, rules, and guidelines worked. They also said they attended hair shows and events. I was so excited; I couldn't even wait to begin. Since I was financially unstable I needed to get loans. Being young and having nothing you own makes it really difficult to get a loan. The financial department at the school helped me create a financial plan and walked me through the steps in applying for grants and loans. I was in, and I was so excited! That month of February I went shopping to buy all black, which was our dress code.
The morning of March first I didn't even know what to do with my self. I went early and got some breakfast and sat in the parking lot of the school, waiting for other people to arrive. I didn't want to walk in by myself. At nine, a group of us were directed in to a classroom. It was called core class. For the first six weeks we would be in here working on mannequin heads and learning the beginnings of everything there is to know about hair.
When the teacher handed out our hair kits, it was like opening Christmas presents. We all had smiles on our faces. We got our own blow dryers, curling rods, brushes, combs, perm rods, shears, etc. We did a lot of bookwork as well. After the first six weeks were up we took the core test. After the test we went on to the salon floor with the other students who had already been through the core class. They were working on real people this time not mannequin heads. I was nervous. I was so scared that I might mess up or cut too much hair off someone's head. That Saturday was our first day on the floor, and it was our family and friends day. My fiancé's mom came in, and I did a color on her and then cut my fiancé's hair. Even though I knew them I was nervous working on real people for the first time. It was also fun, though, and I really enjoyed it.
The next few weeks I still had the adrenalin rushing every time a client came through that door, wondering if I was going to get called to work on them. I really wanted a client, but at the same time I was still a little scared. Having my teacher by my side helping me consult with my clients before and during the service helped a lot. Everyone was saying that after your first client you'd get over that fear. One day my name got called to do a perm. My heart sank. This was going to be my first real perm on a real person. After applying the solution I felt much better. I was so scared and nervous, but I did great. The client gave me a great tip. I lost that fear really fast after having clients a couple times a week. I graduate November 17, 2010. This school has helped me so much and taught me everything I need to know to go out in the real world and hopefully one day become a salon owner. This is what I wanted to do all my life, and I have accomplished my goal.
Editorial provided by Kristin Anderson, Student, The Fila Academy.
