Cosmetology is a professional trade known for helping individuals look and feel their best through creative expression and beautification like nail art and makeup application. An education in cosmetology could provide an enriching career path, and Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) can help you get started. The MTI Cosmetology Program will prepare you to work in the cosmetology industry by teaching you the skills you need to know to get licensed and launch an entry-level career in cosmetology.
If you’re wondering if cosmetology is the right career path for you, take a look at the pros and cons of going to school for cosmetology.
Pros of Cosmetology School
Cosmetology has plenty of pros that outweigh the few cons of the industry. This upbeat field in the service industry allows you to interact with a variety of different individuals, including coworkers and clients. And that’s just one of the advantages of cosmetology school. Check out the following benefits:
- Shorter schooling than many traditional college programs: MTI offers cosmetology program lengths of 13, 16, and 17 months.* That means you can plan to complete your education faster than if you go to school for a traditional four-year degree. In addition, cosmetology programs typically focus on relevant industry-specific classes, preventing you from wasting time in general education classes, like math or English, that don’t necessarily apply to a cosmetology career path.
- Commissions: It’s possible that many salons may give you the chance to earn more than your base pay by upselling products or services to clients. In these circumstances, you’ll have an opportunity to boost your income by practicing stellar customer service and salesmanship.
- Tips: If you go above and beyond with your service, cosmetology careers often offer the potential to earn tips in addition to commission and base pay. In most service industries, tips are generally expected when the service is exceptional.
- Flexibility: Building your own schedule may be possible. Because many salons, spas, and other places of cosmetology employment tend to have broad hours of operation, you may not need to work a 9-to-5 schedule. If you are not interested in a traditional Monday-Friday schedule, cosmetology could be an ideal career path.
- Entrepreneurship: During the MTI Cosmetology Program coursework, you’ll be taught salon management skills. These learnings can help if you one day decide to become an entrepreneur and manage your own salon business.
- Bonds and friendships: Cosmetology is an inherently social field. Working in this industry could offer you the chance to meet new people and form lasting relationships with coworkers and clients.
- Lower cost: Four-year college programs typically aren’t cheap. The MTI Cosmetology Program, available in 13-, 16-, or 17-month* formats, may be more affordable. Learn more about MTI program costs here.
- Scholarship opportunities: The MTI Admissions Team may be able to assist you in identifying potential scholarship opportunities to help you take care of education costs. We also have a scholarship guide you can reference.
- Creativity: While working with people’s hair, skin, and nails, you may have chances to practice your art and get a little creative, trying out new hair dying styles and new lipstick shades. Cosmetology can be fun.
- Field in demand: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is expected to increase 13% between 2016 and 2026. [1] That job growth rate prediction is higher than the national average across all jobs and fields.
