Cool Cosmetology Careers

March 22, 2015

They range from their late teens to their 50s. They’re preparing first, second, or even third, careers. They land jobs anywhere from local salons to international destinations. These are the students of northern Michigan’s cosmetology schools and they’re a far cry from beauty school dropouts like Frenchy in the movie musical "Grease."

They’re dedicated, hardworking, and generally spend more than 1,000 hours learning how to help people improve their appearance and stay on fashion’s leading edge.

THE PROCESS

Julie Merriner, campus director for Traverse City Beauty College said their courses take a year to complete, even longer if students return to become instructors.

"The regular program is 1,500 hours," she explained. "So, if you attend full time, at 35 hours a week, it’s a year, or one and a half years if you attend part time at 20 hours a week."

Tuition at the Traverse City school costs around $15,500, including course materials. In addition to the training itself, most schools have an active salon, so that students can practice on actual clients.

After graduation, students pay a $190 fee to take the state cosmetology board exam in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit or Marquette, with practical and written portions.

If they pass, they are licensed cosmetologists and those stylish doors will start to open.

Harvey Nelson, owner of Up North School of Cosmetology in Petoskey, said there is a wide range of options for his graduates.

"Our school offers the full cosmetology course, along with a nail technicians course, esthetics course (skin care) and, for qualified persons, even an instructors course," he said.

"Once licensed, students can pursue several options under the cosmetology umbrella. Even partial licensees can go on to eventually manage or own a salon."

THE CHALLENGES

The cosmetology courses in this region cater mostly to women. According to Merriner, for every 40 or 50 women enrolled in a class, there may be one or two men. Still, it’s an equal opportunity field for those interested, although there are a few hurdles based simply on prior experience.

"I feel, for women, it’s a pretty natural thing to become a cosmetologist because we’re around it a lot," Merriner said. "The men have a bit of a tougher time just because it takes them a while to get acclimated to using curling irons and makeup and such. But, older women clients seem to actually prefer male stylists, so it balances out."

While there are plenty of opportunities after graduation, the challenge is figuring out exactly where you want to work.

Nelson explained that many of his students stay local, but wherever a student goes, choosing her first cosmetology post is something that needs to be considered carefully.

"A lot of salons, especially small private places, can’t offer benefits," he said. "This is very important to many stylists, especially if they have their own family. So it can be difficult to find the right job."

Difficult – but far from impossible; there are plenty of success stories.

THE SUCCESSES

Nelson said the most rewarding part of running his program is the feedback he receives.

"I actually had a former student text me photos of the two salons she’s opened in Florida only two years after graduating from here," he said. "What I really enjoy is seeing people’s pride in completing the program and getting licensed."

Some students find even more glamorous ways to make use of their cosmetology degrees.

"One of my students from Traverse City, Karen Wittig, is currently styling hair on a cruise ship," Merriner said. "Another student does hair and makeup for The Weather Channel! And our graduate Wendy Schaub, who works at Salon Elan Vital in Traverse City, got to help transform one of the Disneyland actors into Santa Claus for the Christmas season in Florida."

Despite these exciting successes, Merriner said the most rewarding thing is also the most simple.

"I like watching the students grow as people and become more confident, and then being able to take this job and provide for themselves and their families."

THE TRANSFORMATIONS

Many of the cosmetology processes require hands-on practice, so the students often beautify mannequins or even each other before working in the school’s public salon.

The school salon then gives the students the opportunity to hone other elements of their stylist skill set, such as relating to real clients and being personable on the job.

It’s all in a day’s cosmetology studies. Stacey Drexler-Dahl is studying at the Traverse City school and will conclude her course this May. She agreed that part of the fun is the practical experience.

"I like doing cuts and color the most," Drexler-Dahl said. "And I like helping people transform, especially when they decide to go through a drastic change. One recent client that was really neat was a woman who had very plain, light brown, medium-length hair and we did a vibrant, mahogany red pixie cut on her. It was so cool!" Drexler-Dahl works at Impres Salon in Traverse City. She’s taking the course in hopes of expanding her role at the salon.

"I see the creativity and professionalism that the cosmetologists there provide and I’m really excited to add these things to my career and to my life," she said.

THE OPPORTUNITIES

Maris Hocking, a classmate of Drexler- Dahl’s, will wrap her studies at the end of April, an accomplishment that required her to take a big leap.

"I was actually a registered nurse for 14 years, but I was no longer happy in my career choice," she said. "I liked to care for people, but the politics and the amount of documentation required to be a nurse took too much time and focus away from the patients."

Hocking said she’s very happy about her choice of second career.

"I watched how much fun my own hairdresser was having and I wanted to try it," she explained. "This gives me a chance to use the same people skills, and to care for people, but without having to make those life-or-death decisions."

Hocking said she admires the atmosphere of several salons in downtown Traverse City and she plans to start working locally after graduation, but she’s also excited to see where else her new cosmetology license might lead.

"I hope I can work with some of the people who have been so inspiring to me," she said. "I plan to stay here for at least a year to get started, but I’m also looking forward to the big fashion shows and trade shows, like in Chicago and New York City. They just make you want to travel and try new things. So, who knows where that will take me?"

Northern Michigan Cosmetology Programs:

TRAVERSE CITY BEAUTY SCHOOL 920 Hastings St., Suite D, Traverse City 231-929-0710 tcbeautycollege.com

TBA CTC COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM 880 Parsons Road, Traverse City 231-922-6273 tbactc.org

UP NORTH SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY 2250 US 31, Petoskey 231-348-8220 upnorthschoolofcosmetology.com

CADILLAC INSTITUTE OF COSMETOLOGY 205 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac 231-775-3642 cad.instituteofcos.com

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOL OF BEAUTY 1081 N. I-75 Business, Grayling 989-344-7000 graylinghollywoodbeautyschool.webs.com