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The Salon Professional Academy Blog

Deciding on what to do for a career or what kind of education to pursue is a big life decision. Many people think about cosmetology school but delay their decision for one reason or another. If a career in beauty interests you, but you’re not sure if you want to make the leap, here are 9 things you may not have known about cosmetology school that might help tilt the scales and get you excited!
hairstylist cutting hair

    So Many Career Choices

    Cosmetology has a variety of jobs and career paths to choose from. This is a very common concern for almost anyone who is trying to decide what career to go into, and cosmetology is no exception. The good news is that there are very few limits to what you can do with a cosmetology license. Many people who graduate from an accredited cosmetology school find jobs in salons, spas, or start their own businesses. You could open your own salon or get some clients and work out of your home. These are just a few of the options and once you move into the industry other doors can open and you could find yourself in a career that is exciting and rewarding!

    Major Industry Growth

    Another aspect that most people think about when they are thinking about what career to pursue is what the industry looks like overall. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that the beauty industry will have higher than average growth over the next 7 years. As long as people have hair, there will be jobs out there for cosmetologists.
    cosmetology instructor teaching

    Fast Education and Training

    When considering your career options, you have to think about what educational requirements there are. One of the great things about cosmetology is that the education process is fast. It’s also hands on, which can make it a lot more fun and feel even quicker. In St. Louis, Missouri for example, the requirements to become a licensed cosmetologist is 1500 hours. If you go to school full time, it can take as little as 11 months to finish. If you go part time, it can take as little as 18 months to complete. Either way you do it, it’s still going to take less time than a traditional, 4-year college education.

    You Can Get Real Life Experience

    The hands-on experience mentioned before deserves a little more explanation because most traditional educations simply don’t have that. In a traditional educational setting, you are usually expected to read, remember, and repeat what you read. With any great cosmetology school, you can be in the trenches getting your hands dirty. You should have the opportunity to learn by doing, which for most people is the best way to do it. This can be very helpful when you enter the workforce because you will already have a little bit of experience under your belt and you can be ready to jump right in!
    cosmetologist styling hair

    What Can I Learn?

    When people use the word “cosmetology,” they are often talking about hair styling. There is a lot more that falls under the umbrella of cosmetology, however. When you go to cosmetology school you can learn a lot more than just how to cut and style hair. At The Salon Professional Academy St. Louis (TSPA St. Louis) you can learn about hair cutting and styling techniques, salon business systems, client retention and communication skills, resume writing, interviewing practices, and much more. All of these things are taught to help you thrive in the beauty industry and hopefully become a leader.

    Welcome to The Cosmo Family

    One of the coolest things about the cosmetology world is the friends you will make. When you enroll in cosmetology school, you become part of a huge family. The people you meet at school, who have the some of the same interests as you, can become very close friends. The instructors that you associate with during your time in school can also become lifelong mentors and you can call on those people for help and advice throughout your career.
    hairdresser working in salon

    You Get to Help People Feel Great

    Helping people achieve their desired look can be an awesome job description. It can be incredibly gratifying when you know someone leaves feeling better about themselves than they did when they came to you. A nice benefit of helping people feel great about themselves is that it can help you feel great too!

    Lots of Opportunity to Create

    If you like being creative, cosmetology could be a great fit for you! In cosmetology there is a lot of opportunities to do things differently and let your imagination take control. At times, you will also have to venture outside of what you know and learn how to do things that you may not have done before. This creates a really unique and interesting atmosphere to work in that can be really exciting and fun! So, if you like being creative and making new looks, cosmetology might be a great fit for you!
    black woman with creative hair colors

    It Can Be a Great Decision

    Many people who go to cosmetology school and find a career in the beauty industry say that it was a great life decision! There are so many great opportunities and amazing people that make it awesome to be a part of. Becoming a member of the group will be a decision that you can be proud of!

    Now that you know a little more about what cosmetology is all about, are you ready to get started? If you want to learn more about programs you can contact us! You can also schedule a tour to get a feel for what it is like at TSPA St. Louis. We can’t wait to hear from you!