Do you watch television shows or movies and pay more attention to hairstyles more than plotlines? Do all your friends call you up before formal events to ask for help doing their hair? Do you simply have a knack for cutting hair? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," then you may want to give serious thought to pursuing a career in hairstyling.
Here are a few steps to consider when planning such a career.
Are you still in high school? If you are, check your school district's website.
Does it have a vocational-technical school (often called a vo-tech school) where you can take styling classes? If so, you may be able to work those classes into your general curriculum.
The purpose of a vo-tech school is to provide valuable career training at the high school level, so students can learn marketable skills alongside typical high school subjects like history, language arts and math.
But what if your school doesn't have a vo-tech program? Or what if it has one, but it doesn't offer hairstyling or cosmetology classes? Don't worry -- you may be able to take those classes at a local community college.
The downside is that you might not get school credit for them, meaning you'll have to take the classes on your own time.
But check with your school -- you might be able to work out a deal.
Out of high school, or about to graduate? Start looking for a cosmetology school - a specialized training center that'll teach you everything you need to know about a career in hairstyling.
It's like college for hairstylists.
And it's just as much of a challenge; depending on where you go, you'll have to take somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 hours of classes in order to graduate.
Check your state's requirements.
Depending on where you live, you may need to spend some time as an apprentice to an established hairstylist.
Some other states require cosmetology students to take both a written exam and hands-on practical test to graduate.
And some states demand periodic renewals of your cosmetology license.
Familiarize yourself with your state's laws before you start your journey, just so you know what you're in for.
Think about where you want to work.
Many stylists begin their careers in salons; that's where the lion's share of demand is.
After that, it's anyone's guess.
Some stay in salons.
Others go back to cosmetology school as teachers.
Some find their way onto film sets and television shows - jobs that pay very well.
And some manage to find jobs as personal stylist to politicians, celebrities or other high-profile personalities.
Network! Taking cosmetology classes is a great opportunity to start making the kinds of friends and contacts that'll last your whole career.
But don't stop networking - it's how you'll find the best jobs.
Here are a few steps to consider when planning such a career.
Are you still in high school? If you are, check your school district's website.
Does it have a vocational-technical school (often called a vo-tech school) where you can take styling classes? If so, you may be able to work those classes into your general curriculum.
The purpose of a vo-tech school is to provide valuable career training at the high school level, so students can learn marketable skills alongside typical high school subjects like history, language arts and math.
But what if your school doesn't have a vo-tech program? Or what if it has one, but it doesn't offer hairstyling or cosmetology classes? Don't worry -- you may be able to take those classes at a local community college.
The downside is that you might not get school credit for them, meaning you'll have to take the classes on your own time.
But check with your school -- you might be able to work out a deal.
Out of high school, or about to graduate? Start looking for a cosmetology school - a specialized training center that'll teach you everything you need to know about a career in hairstyling.
It's like college for hairstylists.
And it's just as much of a challenge; depending on where you go, you'll have to take somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 hours of classes in order to graduate.
Check your state's requirements.
Depending on where you live, you may need to spend some time as an apprentice to an established hairstylist.
Some other states require cosmetology students to take both a written exam and hands-on practical test to graduate.
And some states demand periodic renewals of your cosmetology license.
Familiarize yourself with your state's laws before you start your journey, just so you know what you're in for.
Think about where you want to work.
Many stylists begin their careers in salons; that's where the lion's share of demand is.
After that, it's anyone's guess.
Some stay in salons.
Others go back to cosmetology school as teachers.
Some find their way onto film sets and television shows - jobs that pay very well.
And some manage to find jobs as personal stylist to politicians, celebrities or other high-profile personalities.
Network! Taking cosmetology classes is a great opportunity to start making the kinds of friends and contacts that'll last your whole career.
But don't stop networking - it's how you'll find the best jobs.
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