According to The NY Times ("As Beauty Schools Grow" June 7, 2009), cosmetology schools are on the rise and enrollment is up. The face of cosmetology schools has greatly changed in the last 20 years. And that's good news for our industry. While they still offer the basics -- hair skin and nails -- they are now offering expanded curriculum's to include massage, wellness and skin care. According to the Times, "Ten years ago if you said the word 'esthetician' people would say 'what is that?'...the industry is much more sophisticated than it once was."I know this first hand. When I was starting off in the industry people would think I was saying that I was an "electrician." Well, we've certainly come a long way, baby!
Times are tough but "cosmetology is holding steady in the recession."
And the number of people seeking beauty schools is up. Whether as a second career or older students that are in college, people are seeking careers in our industry.
The notion of celebrity make-up artists, stylists and skin care professionals have also contributed to this new-found attraction. Graduates from schools can work behind the scenes in theater, film and television, add to the cache of being a beauty professional.
I am excited that our industry can still provide jobs during tough economic times. I know, I started my career in a recession. And there is opportunity, you just have to work hard at it.
