Cosmetology is a growing industry that is offered to provide a diverse range of services to enhance the appearance of the client. “The services that are provided to clients by hairdressers and stylists are shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair.” (College Grad, 2010) Cosmetology is very broad industry, and provides great opportunities for people. Mary Bird, a representative from the National accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, stated, “If a person is a go-getter, he or she can go anywhere in the cosmetology field.” (Denis)
One of the forms of cosmetologist is a barber. Barbers shampoo, cut, trim and style hair. You would also see barbers doing facial shaving and scalp treatments and fit hair pieces. In many States, barbers are licensed to color, bleach, or highlight hair and to offer permanent-wave services.” (College Grad, 2010) Hairdressers like to help their clients figure out what products they should use to keep their hair clean and healthy.
Like most professions, one of the first steps to having a job in the cosmetology industry is getting your license. Although the commitment may not be as long as a doctorate or a bachelors degree, people that want to be involved in styling and conditioning hair are required to meet the standards that are imposed on all cosmetologist. To obtain a license, every state has different policies and standards imposed on stylists. Generally, a person must have graduated from a State-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 16 years old. A few States require applicants to pass a physical examination. Some States require graduation from high school, while others require as little as an eighth-grade education. In a few States, the completion of an apprenticeship can substitute for graduation from a school, but very few barbers or cosmetologists learn their skills in this way. Applicants for a license usually are required to pass a written test and demonstrate an ability to perform basic barbering or cosmetology services.” (http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/servi14.shtml#nat)
Following obtaining a license, appearance workers are required to keep up on the “latest fashions,” and have good sense of technical design. A lot of controversy surrounds the requirements for barbers, and the amount of classes they are required to attend during training courses. “If you want to be a barber, you don’t need to go take hours and hours of courses on dyeing and perms,” explained Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, who is backing the bill. He noted that the state’s requirements ultimately create a barrier for people looking to enter the profession.” (http://www.citytowninfo.com/career-and-education-news/articles/cosmetology-schools-report-growth-09072001)
Stylists often work in clean, safe, and pleasant surroundings. One of the main factors that influence potential clients is the look of a building, and if they feel comfortable being in the presence of the person that is doing their hair, toes, ect. One of the negative aspects of the job is that cosmetologists are constantly on their feet all day, and need stamina to keep up with the standards of today. The chemicals that are in a variety of shops can cause irritation, and requires that the person is diligent with how they use the chemicals.
Solons rely on the workers to be available, and present for clients throughout the week. The job, most often, requires that 40 hours a week, and can often run over the 40 hour mark depending on how busy the shop is. About 32 percent of cosmetologists and 17 percent of barbers work part time, and 14 percent of cosmetologists and 17 percent of barbers have variable schedules.” (http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/servi14.shtml#nat) The quote reveals the flexibility that a lot of solons have in regards to the hours available, but it is based on how many clients are requiring their services.
There is a variety of jobs available in the market. ” Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers held about 790,000 jobs in 2004. Of these, barbers, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists held 670,000 jobs, manicurists and pedicurists 60,000, skin care specialists 30,000, and shampooers 27,000… About 48 percent of all barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers are self-employed. Many own their own salon, but a growing number lease booth space or a chair from the salon�s owner.” (http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/servi14.shtml#nat)
When looking for employment in the cosmetology field it is best to already have previous experience and be licensed to work in the field. The market is constantly growing along with the jobs. There will be many openings for these positions due to retirement, or people transferring to other occupations, or other personal reasons. Joyce Magner, director of the Kilgore College Cosmetology Program, stated, “”Even in tough times, they’re still making money… People may tighten their belts, but they still want to look good.” (http://www.citytowninfo.com/career-and-education-news/articles/cosmetology-schools-report-growth-09072001) The quote hints to the constant demand involved in the Cosmetology industry, and the need for cosmetologists in the future. “When there are layoffs, people need retraining–and the training is relatively short,” explained Jim Cox, president of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools.” (http://www.citytowninfo.com/career-and-education-news/articles/cosmetology-schools-report-growth-09072001) In the economic state of the United States, there are enormous amounts of layoffs, and joblessness in society. The quote reveals the job consistency in the industry, regardless of if the state of the economy is lower than from previous years.
One of the factors that may influence people from going into the cosmetology industry is the money that is involved. There is not a consistent amount that someone would make because it depends on the location of the solon, the client base, and the tips that is brought in from working. According to a statistical analysis of the industry, the “Median annual earnings in May 2004 for salaried hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, including tips and commission, were $19,800. The middle 50 percent earned between $ 15,480 and $26,600. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $35,990.” Median annual earnings in May 2004 for salaried barbers, including tips, were $21,200. The middle 50 percent earned between $15,380 and $30,390. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $43,170.. Among skin care specialists, median annual earnings, including tips, were $ 24,010, for manicurists and pedicurists $18,500, and for shampooers $14,610.” (http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/servi14.shtml#nat) The following information was taken from Salary Wizard, and represents the difference in pay between the diverse range of jobs in cosmetology.
“In 1999 job demand survey, NACCAS found the average hourly wage for cosmetologist to be about $18.50, including tips. According to the National Business Employment Weekly, 21,000 is the average salary for the beginning, with mid-level earnings at $27,000, and top earnings at $42,000. The economic Research Institute predicts that by the year 2015, the mean salary for cosmetologist will be $44,729.” (Denis)
The main limitation that is placed within the market is the ability to advance in the career. Unless you own the company, or are a manager of the store, there are not many occupational opportunities to “move up.” The different jobs available in the market create new opportunities for people. The Continued growth in the number of nail salons and full-service day spas will generate numerous job openings for manicurists, pedicurists, skin care specialists, and shampooers. Employment of manicurists, pedicurists, and skin care specialists will grow faster than the average, while employment of shampooers will grow about as fast as the average.” (Dennis)
Upon researching the cosmetology industry, I decided to interview Michele Newcomb. Michele is my cousin, and has been involved in the industry for over 5 years. Over the course of this time, Michele has worked in a solon, but also has worked as a freelancer with a variety of diverse clients. I asked her what her plans are for the future, and she stated that she styles peoples’ hair in their homes, instead of working for a company. She stated that she didn’t like the long hours, and the low pay that she received due to the tips that she pays. As a freelancer, she is her own boss, and takes one hundred percent of the profit. Michele stated that she was working two jobs to pay all of the bills that she had, and wasn’t able to just work as a hair stylist for another company. She stated that she prefers to do hair, and wouldn’t consider doing nails, or anything else in the future.
Along with Michele, my Aunt Chris Newcomb, is the owner of Unisex Solon. Although I wasn’t able to do a formal interview with her, I remember the discussions that we had about how she loved what she did, and she said that she is usually extremely busy. She said that she has done peoples’ hair in large groups, including for weddings, and proms. She placed two tanning beds in the solon as a means to provide new options for clients, which has been a success. I recall going there for “bring your daughter to work day,” and she showed me how to clean the beds, the importance of maintaining a clean environment by constantly sweeping, and how to utilize the resources around her to fulfill the needs to the client, such as the cash register, product placement.
Works Cited
College Grad, Initials. (2010). Career information. Retrieved from http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/servi14.shtml#nat
Dennis, Mary. (2000). Careers in cosmetology. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
Edwards, Paul and Sarah. Finding Your perfect Work. Los Angeles, CA: J.P. Tarcher, INC, 1996.
Staff, Cityown. (2009). Cosmetology schools report growth. Retrieved from http://www.citytowninfo.com/career-and-education-news/articles/cosmetology-schools-report-growth-09072001
Reference:
- College Grad, Initials. (2010). Career information. Retrieved from www.collegegrad.com/careers/servi14.shtml#nat
- Dennis, Mary. (2000). Careers in cosmetology. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.
