Career Technical Education (cte): Cosmetology

Cosmetology is one of the fastest growing jobs, increasing almost thirteen percent every year, but as of September 11, 2018, the beauty industry right now faces a great downfall, whether to continue providing high schools with funds to maintain their cosmetology programs or to cut it. It is said the decision will be finalized in early 2019. TEA justifies the reason to wanting to go forth with this decision because the outcome job falls under the required salary pay to keep a program of $35,339.

Many see this CTE program as unnecessary and opinionate by saying it is not a high paying job, but other see it is as a way out. The cosmetology program is full of students ready to learn and make a living by going straight into the workforce right after high school. Sometimes it is also the only reason why students even bother to show up to school. Regardless the reason as to why, it has a positive impact in those enrolled and with a passion for it. Cutting the cosmetology would just have a negative impact, many of those student’s futures revolved on obtaining a cosmetologist license, while some had plans to go to college, studies show that 1 out of 3 students don’t go to college but rather straight into the workforce. Many seek refugee into this job, several see this as potential money-making on the side, to help pay their way through college or as a way to get themselves on their feet. Its outcome provides students with a skill that can provide them financial stability

Ending the program will also leave several struggling and finding themselves getting into debt trying to pursue their dream of being in the beauty industry. In comparison to paying a top beauty school, which will be around a hefty fifteen thousand dollars, high schools only seek that their students are able to afford their kits, which only results in an average one thousand dollars spent over the span of the 4 school years.

As for the people who are against ending the program their justification comes from the fact that reported salaries from cosmetologist are not accurate. Not only do they make the reported salary but on top of that they earn a great number of tips and many work outside as independents, aside from their jobs in actual salons. According to studies, the salary for cosmetologist is about $29,590, not including tips, which adds another 15-20 percent to initial amount made. (Dowd, pg. 3)

TDLR should reevaluate their decisions and consider perhaps to conduct a survey that allows cosmetologist to report how much they make yearly alone at an actual salon job and be able to make TEA aware on how much is being made in tips plus side jobs. The state of Texas should allow to have some sort of research to be conducted with several cosmetologists for a whole year. In which they can give daily reports of how much in tips is earned every day for a year along with how much they made the whole year. At the end of the research numbers would be summed up and averaged out with this a more accurate earning should be given. This will give them more of an insight into the reality of the beauty industry and the opportunities and potentials found in this career. With more precise research and number, the state will have more clear indications on whether to continue having cosmetology programs in high school or simply call it off.

Cosmetology is a career looked down upon by several or other simply don’t see it as an actual job, but that is all due to several being oblivious to the reality in the industry. Not everyone sees the behind the scenes and are uneducated about the income and potential of what can be achieved through this job. Many are lucky to be able to work along or for celebrities, backstage of fashion shows and many big shows. The beauty industry is only continuing to grow and expand. The demand is rising, cutting the programs would not look like an option after certain eye-opening facts.

Works Cited

1. “Cosmetology Administrative Rules.” Programs Licensed and Regulated by TDLR, www.tdlr.texas.gov/cosmet/cosmetrules.htm.
2. Dowd, Mary. “How Much Does a Cosmetologist Make Per Year?” Chron.com, 28 Mar. 2018, work.chron.com/much-cosmetologist-make-per-year-8049.html.
3. Katz, Chelsea. “School Officials Warn against Cutting Cosmetology Programs.” The Eagle, BH Media Group, Inc., 16 Sept. 2018, www.theeagle.com/news/local/school-officials-warn-against-cutting-cosmetology-programs/article_ec0ef0a8-b5fd-5808-ab7e-66f3a8a4f496.html.
4. Lundstrom, Kathryn. “Texas Considering Cutting High School Cosmetology Courses.” The Texas Tribune, Texas Tribune, 11 Sept. 2018, www.texastribune.org/2018/09/11/texas-tea-considering-cutting-high-school-cosmetology-courses/.
5. McCormick, Adam. “Cutting High School Cosmetology Programs Would Block a Vital Path to Economic Mobility.” Dallas News, 17 Sept. 2018, www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2018/09/17/cutting-high-school-cosmetology-programs-will-hurt-students.
6. Patel, Khyati. “Lufkin Stylists React to TEA's Proposed Plan to Cut High School Cosmetology Programs.” KTRE.com Lufkin and Nacogdoches - KTRE.com, 11 Sept. 2018, www.ktre.com/story/39071477/lufkin-stylists-react-to-teas-proposed-plan-to-cut-high-school-cosmetology-programs/.