24 Mar How to Become a Beauty Professional
You’ve decided you want to start a career to become a barber, cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail tech, but do you know the path that will guide you to that goal? Do you have an idea of what kind of salon or spa you want to work at? Here are some tips to get you started on your journey to success.
Find A School
The process of becoming a cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, or nail tech begins with finding the right school. And while students from all schools have to pass the same state board exam to become licensed, style and technique are shaped by the culture within each institute, which is exemplified by its unique network of current students, alumni, and instructors. How do you find the school that is right for you?
Ask yourself where you want to work in five years and visualize yourself in that space. Then, stalk the Instagram profiles of the businesses you like, and find out which schools their employees graduated from. (Don’t be afraid to send a DM if you don’t see it in their bios!) Let your career goals guide your decision.
Once enrolled, keep your future vision and goals in mind. In addition to maintaining good attendance and grades, you must actively prepare for life after licensure while in school. Spend some time researching salons and spas to understand what qualities they are looking for in employees and aim to land a job before graduation.
Student Services
Utilize support from The Institute’s Student Services Department. They’re a full-time team dedicated to guiding students through their journey from enrollment to graduation, as well as preparation for state board exams, job placement, and professional development.
Career Fairs
The Institute of Beauty and Wellness hosts four career fairs and student spotlight events to connect students to local salons, spas, and barbershops. Our career fairs are open to all students and alumni from both our Milwaukee and Madison campuses and are a great way to get your foot in the door of your dream salon. Students should treat career fairs like job interviews; research who will be there and be prepared to show your future employers why you should be hired.
Career fairs are also a great place to learn and ask questions about what the day-to-day is like. Asking questions not only allows you to learn about the business but also shows the recruiters that you are curious. Employers often seek out students who aren’t afraid to ask questions and have the willingness to keep learning and growing.
Externship Program
The Institute of Beauty and Wellness also provides students with externship opportunities with licensed salons, barbershops, or spas where they can receive real-life practical training with well-known professionals. This experience complements the instruction received in school and on the clinic floor, giving students the confidence to apply for jobs after graduation.
Ready to take the next step toward your new career? Our admissions team is here to support you in any way possible in taking the next steps toward your new career. Make sure to schedule your official campus tour today to learn more in-depth about your program(s) of interest.
