Career Development Advice for Students

One of the biggest concerns I hear people discussing when they are in school is whether they are getting enough hands-on practice before graduating. I also hear people express concerns about not getting enough exposure to certain services while in school. This seems to be the nature of beauty school, especially because at most schools the focus is on getting students to pass the state board exam and get their licenses.

If you have interests that go beyond the basics of what you’re learning in school, you’re most likely going to have to wait until you graduate and get licensed to really start learning and focusing on specialty services. Continuing education is what you will need, and it is something that every beauty professional should participate in—no matter how long they’ve been in the industry, and no matter how busy they are. But if you’re just starting out, you likely do not have the money to invest in every class you’d like to take.

This is where a little bit of research and planning now, while you’re in school, can come in handy. As a student, you are in a unique position where it is much easier for you to reach out for help and guidance. Look for internships at businesses that offer the services you’d like to learn. You may be able to find work there as an apprentice where you can learn from a seasoned professional. Look for jobs that offer training and continuing education, and don’t dismiss chain businesses that oftentimes provide excellent training and a steady stream of clients to work on. In this type of environment, you have plenty of room to learn new skills, get really good at them, and even advance into management if that’s what you want to do.

If you do have the money to pay for some extra classes or advanced training not offered at your school, there are many companies that offer trainings geared specifically toward students. And this usually means they are discounted. So, whenever you’re researching brands for trainings, be sure to ask if they offer student promotions.

You can also learn quite a bit while still a student by attending tradeshows. At shows, many brands offer free classes and presentations where you can see live demonstrations of products and techniques. And afterward, you usually have the opportunity to ask the presenters questions. If you like what you see, there are always show specials available to you. And many times, those specials include discounts on the trainings and supplies you want.

There really is no limit to what you can accomplish, career-wise, in the beauty industry. Even if you’re still in school, you should start planning now for when you graduate and think about where you want to be and how you can get there. You don’t have to know exactly what you want but having an idea can help you plan which will help set you up properly for a successful beauty career that you can continue to grow and improve.