Colorado Native Chooses CA Beauty School for Cosmetology Training

Even if the path to Federico Beauty Institute wasn't always a straightforward one for Lauren DeQuiroz, the experience has taught her some valuable life lessons. Lauren always wanted to attend beauty school, but she also wanted to experience life as a college student. Lauren was a student at the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado before she followed her dream to become a hair stylist.

Lauren signed up for an 1800-hour Cosmetology program at a franchise school in the Denver region. But after a few months in the program, Lauren realized that the school was not a good fit for her. It was obvious that the course didn't include study materials that focused on passing the State Boards - most states require licensure to practice cosmetology.

Finding the Right Beauty Education Curriculum
Her criteria were quite specific - she wanted on-the-job training, ideally in a salon or similar professional setting, as well as a course of studies with a specific focus on helping students pass the State Boards. A third aspect - finding a school that taught the Pivot Point program – was equally vital.

Lauren searched far and wide for just the right beauty school to meet her needs. She started an intense research project in order to find the beauty school that most closely matched her criteria. She spent a lot of time on the Pivot Point Academy website where she became convinced she wanted to find a beauty school offering the Pivot Point hair and skin education.

The Pivot Point website promised to "teach you to see, think, create and adapt as a designer, not just duplicate the latest fashion trends, but to be the innovator of these trends."

Lauren narrowed her prospects down to only a few beauty schools that she found acceptable. She was attracted to how well organized and informative Federico's website was. "I particularly liked Gary Federico's video," she remarked.

The response by Federico was very impressive. Lauren said, "Most schools I called weren't very helpful or willing to quickly send me the information I needed to make a decision. Federico was very proactive... sending me the information I requested right away, then communicating with me via email on a daily basis."

The last step in her beauty school search was a campus visit to Federico's Sacramento campus. Lauren discovered that the staff members were even friendlier and more helpful than they had been on the telephone. She was impressed by the fact that the main office was on site and everybody with whom she had to meet – admissions, financial services, career services – was in the same building.

The following were the final determining factors for Lauren:

• Federico is well-established in the beauty school business with more than 60 years of continuous operation.
• Federico is a Certified Pivot Point International member school.
• As per the Federico catalog, the school's goal is to assist students to pass the State Boards to become a licensed Cosmetologist.
• The curriculum includes an externship program allowing students to observe experienced beauty professionals in the Sacramento area one day each week in place of attending class.

On Monday, December 22, 2008, Lauren graduated from Federico's Cosmetology program. All that remains now is to polish her resume and Federico's Student Services will help her with that. She wants to work for a salon in the Stockton, CA region – about an hour from Sacramento – so that she will be near her family and friends.

Federico graduates usually have no problem finding work in the Sacramento area, as the institute has long-established ties with the salons there. With the help of Federico's Student Services Coordinator, Jennifer Hancock, Lauren's job search is centered on finding work in Stockton. On behalf of Lauren, Jennifer will send Lauren's resume and details regarding Federico Beauty Institute, to two Stockton salons that Lauren identified as places she'd like to start her beauty career.

Lauren has confidence that she will be able to land a wonderful job. "Federico is very well known and admired in northern California. It's great to have Federico training on my resume." Lauren takes the State Boards on January 16th and there is little doubt that she will get her license and become a great success within the beauty industry.

Back to Articles