|
What they do
Cosmetologists mostly work at salons, their job is to cut or design
hair, apply makeup, do facials, manicures, and pedicures. They work about
forty hours a week. The tools that they use are combs, scissors, brushes,
makeup, curling iron, finger nail polish, mousse, hair spray, gel, shampoo
and conditioner. Cosmetologists also prepare cleaning solutions to clean
the tools that they use. All combs, scissors and all the other tools that
they use have to be sanitized before being used again. Cosmetologists serve
about ten to twenty clients a day. They clean their station between each
procedure. What’s so good about this job is that sometimes you can make
your own work schedule. An aspect that is not very good is having customers
who are grouchy and standing for a long time.
Training and licensing
A cosmetologist should study math and art. To get a license to be a
cosmetologist you would have to pass an exam given by the State Board of
cosmetology. To qualify for the exam a candidate has to have at least a
10th grade education, It is 1600 hours of approved cosmetology instruction
and you have to be seventeen years old. Training includes cosmetology technique
demonstration. Students learn how to perform different services by watching
instructors perform duties. Some schools teach students how to work with
male and female hair and skin because male and female skin is different.
Some cosmetologists start this career at their high school-counseling center.
History
Cosmetology has been around almost as long as people have. Makeup goes
back to the Indians. The Indians would use berries to put on people’s faces
to make them look good. Also in President George Washington’s day women
would put on a little bit of makeup for a party.
Outlook
Employment in cosmetology is expected to grow as fast as the average
for all occupations throughout the year 2010. Competition is expected for
jobs and clients at higher paying salons. Day spas are expected to grow,
and manicures and pedicures are expected to grow as fast as average.
Earnings
The earnings for a beginning cosmetologist are$9.50 per hour. If you
had experience you get about $12.50 hour. Now if you had at least three
years of experience you get paid about $16.00 an hour. The average earnings
for a full time cosmetologist vary. Some might be paid an hour rate or salary.
Some cosmetologist work on commission. Cosmetologists often receive tips
from their clients. They’re usually allowed to keep the tips but sometimes
they have to pay taxes on the tips they receive. In the United States cosmetologists
earn between $11,510 and $45,822 per year, the average salary is between
$19,100 and $24,800 per year. In New York or Hollywood you could get about
$300 per haircut, so their salary can go up over $100,000.
Working Conditions
Cosmetologists work in a clean place and with good light surrounding
them. Most salons have their own separate areas. Cosmetologists have to
stand a lot, stoop, and reach the whole day. Normal or corrected vision
and good eye hand skill is also required. Exposure to chemicals might cause
allergic reactions to skin or lungs for some people.
The Right Candidate
Cosmetologists should enjoy helping people. They also should talk with
their clients about what they want. Cosmetologists must do what their client
wants; they should enjoy learning new skills. They update skills by attending
classes or three seminars a year
Who
I Interviewed And What I Learned
I interviewed Pauline Holloway who is a cosmetologist, on Jan.27th,
2002. I chose Pauline because she has been involved with cosmetology since
1974. Pauline showed me some of the products that she uses like scissors
and combs. She has some scissors that thin out your hair if it’s really
thick. The scissors that she uses thin either 25% or 35%. Also she has
scissors that cost about $100 to $300 in the store. Pauline has a shop
in her home so she is her own boss and she can make her own hours. I would
like to thank Pauline Holloway for taking her time to let me interview
her. |
|
Bibliography
"Accommodation Careers" JIST Works, Inc Indianapolis, IN. 1995.
Capstone Press 2001.pp.7-8,13-14 Career Discovery Encyclopedia vol.2
pp .1-3
Cosmetologists."WOIS Career Explorer 2001-2002CD ROM Olympia, WA: WOIS
Career Information System
Holloway, Pauline, Cosmetologist, personal interview, Jan.27th, 2002
Strazzabosco Jeanne M. World of Work Choosing a Career of Cosmetologist
New York The Rosen Publishing Group1997pp.7, 37
|
Top of page
Menu of 2002 SOAR Projects
Back to the Selah Homepage |
