How to Choose the Right Esthetics School for Your Career Goals
There are many directions you can take your esthetics career. You can become a medical esthetician, work in a spa, or even start your own practice.
Consider the curriculum, hands-on training opportunities, and faculty expertise when choosing an esthetics school. This will help ensure you choose the right school for your career goals.
Find Out What You Want to Learn
So how to become an esthetician? If you are passionate about skincare and want to make skincare products or treatments, esthetics might be your field. As a trained esthetician, you could help clients with their daily routines, provide advanced skin treatments like microdermabrasion or chemical peels, or advise them on skincare products and regimens.
When choosing an aesthetics school, it’s important to know what you want to learn so that you choose the right course for your career goals. You can find out what courses a beauty or esthetics program offers by looking at their website or asking them directly.
Many programs go beyond what is required to take state licensure exams by teaching students about the latest occupational trends and introducing them to specialized services in demand. This can make a huge difference in how you’ll be able to advance in your future career and earn the best salary.
Consider Your Learning Style
The best estheticians are skilled in a wide range of treatments and know their clients and how to work with them. You will likely spend much of your time in an esthetician program practicing mannequins and then working on real clients to gain hands-on experience. Some programs even host student-run spas where you can practice your skills!
In addition to skincare, some estheticians specialize in specific services like facials, waxing, and lash extensions. Specialization helps you to create a unique niche and may give you an edge in the job market.
Medical esthetics training provides the opportunity to learn cosmetic injectables like Botox and dermal fillers (like Juvederm). It offers a great way to add new income streams for current professionals. Medical estheticians can also set their hours, benefiting parents or those who don’t want to follow the traditional 9-5.
Look for a School With a Good Reputation
When you decide to attend school for esthetics, choosing a place with an excellent reputation is important. Look for the curriculum, hands-on training opportunities, reviews, and alum networks to help you decide.
Having great student support is another crucial aspect to consider. This includes everything from financial aid to career services and more. Choosing a school with these services will ensure that you can stay on track and complete your education without worrying about anything else.
It would help if you also considered the reputation of the instructors at the school. Does the faculty have a wide variety of experience and expertise? It would help if you chose a school with a staff of experienced beauty professionals ready to help you start your new career.
Ask Questions
Choosing an esthetics school isn’t a decision to be made lightly. It will affect your career and your future earning potential. Asking the right questions can help you make a wise choice.
Find out what courses the program offers and the instructors’ qualifications. Ask if you can visit the campus and see the classrooms, spas, and salons. This will give you a fuller picture of what attending the school would be like and get a feel for its educational environment.
Some esthetician schools go above and beyond state board licensing requirements, providing training in advanced techniques such as waxing, microdermabrasion, eyelash extensions, laser treatments, and skin care product knowledge. This additional training can increase your employment opportunities after graduation.
It’s also a good idea to ask about hidden costs, such as book fees or the cost of a cosmetology kit. Finally, determine the policy if you need to withdraw from school or transfer institutions.
