The Longevity of a Career in Cosmetology
Looking over the courses we offer at our Wausau, WI cosmetology school will tell you a lot about cosmetology education and careers. As you go through our courses, you’ll see the different topics you’ll study and the skills you’ll pick up during your training.
You’ll also see lists of potential career paths that are determined by the related areas of concentration. If you focus your studies in cosmetology, for example, you may want to become a platform artist whereas pursuing work as a medical aesthetician might be preferable if you study esthiology.
The Future is Bright for Cosmetology School Graduates
Depending on what you want to do within the beauty industry, you may be required to have a license. Before you can sit for the licensing exam, you’ll need to complete training at a cosmetology school. Some people question whether attending cosmetology school is worth the expense and time, but we can assure you that it is.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists will increase by eight percent between 2018 and 2028. That’s a growth rate that’s faster than average compared to other occupations over the same time period.
Cosmetology: A Recession-Proof Industry
It wasn’t long ago that the United States experienced one of the worst economic downturns in recent memory thanks to a systemic housing crisis, rising fuel costs, and other factors. While some people working in the banking and mortgage industries, among others, were forced to seek new jobs, workers in other fields were comparatively unaffected on a professional level at least.
In general, cosmetologists, aestheticians and similar professionals remain immune to recessions and other economic troubles that have the proven potential to negatively impact the careers of others. The Lipstick Effect is often cited as one of the reasons for that.
The Lipstick Effect says that, when faced with economic challenges, people will bypass larger material purchases in favor of affordable indulgences to keep up appearances and self-soothe. The cosmetology industry provides those indulgences for many.
A lot of beauty services have built-in renewal, which is another reason why the industry thrives and even tends to grow during challenging economic times. Waxed eyebrows will grow back. Once vibrant skin will turn dull. Painted nails will chip. Even when money is tight, people will still need to revisit their local spa or beauty salon for essential services to keep them looking and feeling their best.
Stamina is the Key
With the beauty industry being recession-proof and the employment outlook bright, is there anything that can negatively impact the longevity of a career in the industry? Yes, there is. And it’s stamina.
Depending on the career path you choose to follow, working in the beauty industry can be physically challenging. Hairstylists are often on their feet for most of the day, for example. If you don’t keep yourself in good shape, you may lack the stamina to have a lasting career in the industry. Luckily, the day-to-day physical requirements of working in the beauty industry often provide plenty of exercise in their own right, enabling people to stay in shape and perform their job for however long they choose to.
To learn more about cosmetology education and related career paths, contact State College of Beauty Culture today!