CAREERS

Welcome to the wonderful world of beauty and hair design and the special world of education offered by our Cosmetology schools. The beauty and hair world is bigger than ever, and the need for creative, well-trained designers is growing every day. If you love working with people and are willing to devote the time and energy necessary for real success, then this is the field for you.

"Energy crunches" and other shortages of materials are unlikely to affect this field. You are selling the skill of your hands, creativity, knowledge and experience as well as your own personality and good will.

Your efforts bring immediate results. No one can take credit for your work, and this gives you considerable freedom and independence. New fashions and methods rescue the professional from boredom of routine jobs as Cosmetology is always changing.

Even though Cosmetology changes, beauty remains ever desirable. More than half the population are women, all seeking to look their best. Men are also seeking fashion after a decade of regimentation in hairstyle and dress. There are many high paying and specialized positions in the industry for men as there are for women.

Based upon a typical 50% commission factor, in 1998, the average income for all salon professionals was $18.54 per hour while salon owners averaged $22.03 per hour. The corresponding full-time salaries are $45,822 for US salon owners, $35,193 for salon employees and $38,563 for all professionals, both employees and salon owners, inclusive of tips.

Today, the professional salon industry continues to offer terrific new employment opportunities to qualified job seekers. Whether it is to launch a new career or to begin a mid-life career change, cosmetology offers many new opportunities with numerous amazing rewards. The Professional Beauty Business is a 72 billion-dollar industry domestically and 250 billion internationally. This industry consists of more than one million people including hairdressers, salon owners, manufacturers, and distributors.

MASSAGE
The profession of massage therapy and is growing throughout the United States. More people are becoming involved in fitness programs, stress reduction, relaxation techniques, wellness and preventative health care. Traditional health practitioners are discovering the damaging effects of stress and chronic tension. Stress and resulting lifestyle diseases are killers in our modern society.

Massage therapy is one of the few services available that directly affects the body's responses to stress and measurably strengthens the immune system. Athletes are becoming aware of how warm-up, performance and recovery can be improved through appropriate sports massage. Most chronic pain, from low back pain to migraine headaches, stems from structural and functional imbalances.

Career opportunities for the licensed massage therapist include private practice, health clubs, day spas and resort spas, beauty salons, corporations (on-site or seated), stress reduction/relaxation centers and working in association with other health practitioners such as chiropractors, medical doctors, dentists, physical therapists and psychologists.

More than one-third of Americans use an unconventional therapy for serious medical conditions, spending over $14 billion in the process. Massage therapy is the third most common form of unconventional therapy used, behind relaxation techniques and chiropractic.