Cosmetology Listed as One of 2009 Top Careers by U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News and World Report has just published its annual Best Careers list, and cosmetology is among 2009's top thirty careers, due to its high scores in job satisfaction and projected employment rates. Cosmetology made its first appearance on the list in 2008 after the magazine expanded its criteria to include careers that one can pursue without a college degree.

In 2008, the magazine recognized that the U.S. employment market had been evolving over many years. It has become harder and harder for people with a bachelor's degree to find employment, as companies increasingly outsource business and technical jobs out of the country. Another factor is that as high school students are urged to go on to college, there are fewer skilled professional service workers who enter trade professions. Therefore, there has been a recent increase in demand for services by employees talented with "arts and crafts" skills - such as careers like cosmetology and esthetics.

The beauty industry is filled with optimism. A beauty professional's comment in response to the Best Careers of 2009 list follows:

"There are multiple paths someone can pursue in this industry. There are no glass ceilings like in corporate America which is why I wake up excited to pursue this (my) CAREER every morning." 

Beauty is a $56 billion industry, and there are a wide variety of challenging and well-paying career options available within the industry.

Entrepreneur - Business Owner

A considerable portion of beauty school students (27 percent annually) finish beauty school planning to start their own salon, work from home, or rent a chair and freelance. Thus, the cosmetology industry offers the possibility of growth and self-employment. (Source: NACCAS 2007 Job Demand Survey.)

Product Business - Marketing, Business Operations, Finance

Brook Carlson has had an impressive career in the beauty industry, working for companies like L'Oreal, ARTEC, and Zotos International; he is currently the vice president and general manager of RUSK Professional Hair Care. Rusk's product development, advertising, financial operations, and strategic partnerships are handled by Carlson.

Sales and Distribution

Not all professionals in the beauty industry work directly with clients; many don't know about the option to become a beauty distributor. Lee Lawson directs regional sales and business development for Neill Corporation. Lawson is the liaison between both large and small beauty product manufacturers and the many thousands of hair salons, spas and retail outlets that sell their products. His role lets him be a teacher, salesman, manager, and marketing specialist on a daily basis.

Educator

NeCole Cumberlander is owner of the Ohio Academy and an educator and hairstylist. Cumberland comments, "When I started out, I never imagined that someday I would be able to combine the careers of hairstylist and instructor. I am thrilled that I can teach and motivate others so they can enjoy a rewarding and successful career. There are so many wonderful careers in the professional beauty industry and I am honored to be a part of its continual growth." 

Makeup Artist

In 2001, Janell Geason of Minneapolis chose to become a professional makeup artist; this additional skill would allow her to offer her customers a greater range of services, as well as boost her earning potential. Her determination paid off: in 2008, she was named Makeup Artist of the Year at the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA). Said Geason, "A career in beauty matched who I was as a person when I started my career and continues to keep me motivated and inspired on a daily basis." 

Politics

Sam Leyvas, as the Director of Government Affairs for the Professional Beauty Association, has made a career of coordinating legislation with the beauty industry. He aids beauty manufacturers, retailers, and salon owners by helping them project how current government legislation will impact their business.

Every day, Leyvas helps association members understand how specific bills being passed will affect their businesses, and he aids Congress members in determining the potential ramifications of current legislative issues.

Note: Background information and quotes from Brook Carlson, Lee Lawson, NeCole Cumberlander, Janell Geason and Sam Leyvas were taken from "Directions Your Beauty Career Can Take You," Stylist and Salon Newspapers (Northwest edition), May 2009. 

One quote from a cosmetologist that appeared in U.S. News & World Report re-affirms cosmetology's place in the list of top careers of 2009:

"I accidentally stumbled into this industry, never even dreaming to start a new career. Two and half decades later and I still enjoy being a cosmetologist. In this field, we are always being given "open doors" of opportunity; these experiences allow us to exercise our creativity, to meet new and interesting people, to travel, and to grow. My career in the beauty industry began as I honed my skills in beauty school. I taught for several years in the classroom, after working and running three salons. I was then given the opportunity as a supervisor and director to several schools, where I developed new curricula, and it began when I moved out of my comfort zone. I've been a part of the cosmetology industry for the last 10 years, and I have loved every minute of it."

About Federico Beauty Institute

Federico Beauty Institute is family-owned and operated (www.federico.edu/about-us). Now run by the third generation of the family, it carries on its 60-year commitment to preparing students for careers in cosmetology and esthetics. Their goal is to uphold the top standards to create the future leaders in the beauty field.

Federico's teaching staff consists of professional educators with full-time, permanent positions, who are dedicated to motivating and guiding students to be the best beauty professionals they can be. The curriculum includes both methodology and practical training, and the students stay current on trends in the ever-evolving beauty industry.

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