Cosmetology Programs in High Schools

Introduction to Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an industry that provides beauty services, with professionals trained to offer hair, skin, and nail services. This pathway offers a variety of services and can be a fulfilling industry to work in if you enjoy it. Numerous cosmetology schools provide essential skills, but finding one that delivers all the necessary skills and knowledge for the real world is crucial. Many high schools now offer cosmetology programs, but do they truly equip students with the skills and knowledge as a dedicated cosmetology school would? My proposal to address this issue is to enhance the lessons and improve the teaching methods.

Challenges in High School Cosmetology Programs

The industry faces a challenge where many students attending cosmetology schools do not receive the education they should have by the time they graduate. Gregg Meiklejohn suggests, “Improve your program, improve your school to learn helpful education marketing strategies.” This issue caught my attention because I attended Dubiski Career High School in the cosmetology pathway. Over four years, I did not learn many of the practical skills necessary to work in a real salon. While I acquired valuable communication skills, such as the correct way to treat a client and provide a service, practical experience was lacking. Students entering this pathway with enthusiasm are often disappointed, as highlighted in an article by Ogle School: “If you’re in high school and your dream is to be a cosmetologist, check out these helpful classes to take before you graduate high school that will prepare you for success in beauty school.”

Proposed Solutions for Improvement

The solution involves upgrading high school cosmetology programs in various ways. Gregg Meiklejohn emphasizes, “Learn to improve your program offering, and how those improvements can have a direct and immediate positive impact on your marketing, admissions, compliance, and placement efforts…and of course on your bottom line.” The solution, as suggested in the article, is to enhance lessons to provide students with a better understanding and more hands-on experience. For instance, students should be exposed to real-life salon experiences. Bridget Spencer from FOX 7 Austin reports, “We are prepared professionally to actually go out there. We have requirements. We can't be on our phones in class, we have to dress up like we have to go to work,” said Martinez. In my opinion, if programs treated each class as if students were entering the workplace, it would provide them with better opportunities. As Carson expressed, “Not all these kids have the resources to be able to go to college, and a lot of them graduate with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and it's not fair” (Bridget Spencer, FOX 7 Austin). If schools can make students feel that this pathway has a significant impact on their lives, it would greatly enhance the cosmetology pathway in many high schools.

Skills Acquired Through Cosmetology Programs

Some of the skills I have acquired include effective communication skills, which are crucial for anyone in this pathway or any job. Knowing how to communicate with clients and treat them properly while providing a service is essential. The problem with the current program is that it often rushes through lessons without giving students enough time to get accustomed to them. As noted in “Top 5 Skills...”, “You learn even more skills than these five in beauty school. You’ll master not only the skills but your own mind and attitude while at school.” This is vital because students who invest effort into the cosmetology career can seize every opportunity provided by the program. In other words, students also have to contribute to improving the high school program.

Conclusion: Are Cosmetology Programs Helpful?

Are high school cosmetology programs beneficial? There is always a solution, and in this case, yes, having such pathways in high school is advantageous. They help prepare students for real-life work environments upon graduation. Students in the cosmetology pathway will graduate with their licenses ready to work in a salon. Therefore, students should not take the cosmetology program for granted and should think about their future after high school graduation.

References:

1. Meiklejohn, G. (n.d.). Improve your program, improve your school to learn helpful education marketing strategies.
2. Ogle School. (n.d.). If you’re in high school and your dream is to be a cosmetologist, check out these helpful classes.
3. Spencer, B. (n.d.). We are prepared professionally to actually go out there. FOX 7 Austin.
4. Top 5 Skills... (n.d.). You learn even more skills than these five in beauty school.