The author, Silvia Sanchez, graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in Psychology and has over 15 years of experience in the career-consulting field.
Not everyone will be looking for the same values in their training choice. Some people may value an online course over in-person training due to their busy schedules. Some may value the reputation of their educator. This is of utmost importance for people that plan on working in salons and spas. Having respected training on your resume is a must. On the other hand, if you plan to be self-employed, the reputation of your trainer may not matter as much.
Either way, asking the following questions will be useful in helping you choose the right training provider for your career path:
Sample questions
What are the total fees?
What is covered in the total fee? Tuition? Books? A kit? Application fees? Graduation fees?
Is there a Work Experience component?
How much real experience will be provided if any?
What student support is offered if any?
Some schools may offer added support such as financial aid, job search services, counselling, computer access, etc.
What type of credential do I get when I graduate?
There is a difference between certificate and certification. Certification is industry-recognized and granted only after meeting industry requirements through testing. A certificate is documentation of participation in any given course.
What are the minimum and maximum class sizes?
Class size matters in technical training. How many students will you be competing with for your instructor’s help and attention?
Are there any student perks?
Some training providers may offer discounts at distributors post graduation. Other examples include parking, food services, technology supports, etc.
Are the instructors available for one-on-one support?
What methods can I use to contact my instructor after class?
Is there an attendance policy?
What is the training providers policy on attendance, personal image standards, conduct, etc?
What is the refund policy?
What if I change my mind before I start? The first week after? What if something unexpected happens that prevents me from finishing the course?
EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP is a Beauty Industry Resource Centre offering business, career, and employment services to Albertans. Contact us to meet with our Career and Employment Consultant who can help you develop a career path that is right for you.
For those interested in becoming cosmetology instructors, meet Lisa. She has some insight to share with you before you embark on your beauty educator journey. Lisa spent 10 years as a cosmetology educator at the Eveline Charles Academy. While she has since moved on to a managerial position at the Hair Loft, she looks back at her days as a beauty educator with nostalgia.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WITH STUDENTS?
My biggest challenge with students was to keep them excited/interested in the topic of choice for the day. It’s not always fun learning and practicing perm wraps or finger waves or even learning brand new techniques that your hands and mind have never tried. Having well-planned out theory and practical curriculums really helps.
MEMORABLE DAYS
The most fun aspects of being an educator was seeing them all the way through. You get a sense of pride in mentoring the future of our industry. Plus, you really get to know each student , their individuality, and hilarious moments you will never forget.
The worst part of educating is feeling responsible for their success even when they don’t see it themselves.
SKILLS OF A GREAT BEAUTY EDUCATOR
If I was hiring an instructor, the number one quality I would look for is their technical abilities and knowledge of the industry. It is important that all instructors are passing quality techniques down to the next generation.
After technical ability, I’m looking for someone who has a kind , patient, and passionate personality.
PRIDE IN YOUR STUDENTS
When I look back on my teaching career the funny thing about it is seeing my past students succeeding and even surpassing me! I went to a Calgary hair show in the fall. Not only did I see a ton of my previous students, but I was overcome with pride to see one of them as a platform artist educating the future generation herself.
In light of our new Beauty Educator courses, we’ve reached out to the finest Beauty Educators that this city has to offer. These educators have been tried, tested, and true! We asked them a few questions to help Beauty Service Providers who want to become educators take the next step.
Let’s start with our very own, Jhoenna Rosa. Jhoenna is the Technical Director at Executive Spa Group. She develops curriculums and oversees their delivery by qualified Beauty Educators, who track and report on each student’s progress.
Jhoenna brings years of experience. She has been a certified esthetician for over sixteen (16) years and is reputable and recognized within the beauty industry as a leader and excellent service provider. She has produced award-winning students during her years as an educator in two of Canada’s top esthetics schools.
Without further ado let’s get on with the interview:
What is the biggest challenge with students?
I would say the biggest challenge is catering to all the different learning styles not only on a theory level but also on a technical level. Technical services require skills such as dexterity and attention to detail, which are things that take time to develop. Given the time frame that is typical for beauty programs, it’s a challenge to ensure that each student leaves with the necessary skills to continue to develop after the classroom setting.
Memorable days
The least fun days are exam days because there is a lot of tension in the air. Students are nervous and it’s just not fun to be in that position as a student or as a supervisor were you know that you are being super critical and can’t provide help or feedback.
The most fun days are practice/model/floor days. They are always fun!
Skills of a great Beauty Educator
When I’m looking to hire a Beauty Educator, one of the skills that I look for is leadership. The ability to instruct a class and direct the students appropriately and engage them on their learning.
I also expect a level of administrative and organizational skills as that does take up a portion of the role of beauty educator.
In addition, I look for someone who has a good ability to improvise and be creative with the class as not every class is going be the same. This is especially true when you’re dealing with the technical aspect and different models are coming in.
And of course, I expect a high standard of technical skill- so 3-5 years of experience is ideal.
Pride in your students
There are quite a few students over the years who have made me proud to have been their educator. Those individuals are the ones that took their education seriously and developed it into a thriving and lucrative career and really made a name for themselves in the industry.
Also, the ones that took it a step further and opened up their own business. They are now putting their own ideas and creativity out there and continue to raise the standard in the beauty industry.
Can hair and esthetics students access government loans?
In short, yes, hair and esthetics students can access government loans. However, not every program/course available to students offers the option.
So many courses to choose from!
If you haven’t noticed, there is a plethora of beauty industry courses to choose from. Whatever your final destination is in the beauty industry, you have multiple paths you can take to get there. For example, you can start slow and take one course at a time. Technical training usually last from one to four days. It is common for trainers to share the theory component with students one to two weeks before the technical training takes place.
Not all beauty courses offer a technical component. Covid brought a rise of online beauty courses that persist today.
Learn at your pace
While hair is a regulated industry in Alberta, esthetics is not. Therefore, short courses can kickstart a career in personal care services. After acquiring a clientele, you can take other courses to add to your service menu. Before you know it, you have become a fully licensed esthetician, and you did it at your own pace 😉
Learn on the job
Learning on the job is another option for both, hair and esthetics. Learning on the job for hair students is called an apprenticeship. Because hairstylists are regulated in Alberta, apprenticeships are monitored closely to maintain industry standards. While you still have to attend technical training at some point of your apprenticeship, it is a sliver of time and costs a fraction of attending a full time program.
Learn full/part time in school
This last option is the only option that offers the capacity for student loans. However, not every trainer that offers full and part time programs offers government student loans in Alberta. Fortunately though, people looking for full time studies have a few options for trainers in Alberta that offer government student loans.
If accessing government loans is the only option for you to pay for schooling, keep in mind that you yourself have to be eligible for student loans.
While the start-up days of any business are nerve-wracking, they are arguably the most exciting time as well. Here are some ideas to help you grow your beauty business:
Carrying your business card is always a good idea, especially during those start-up days. For example, if someone compliments your nails, as a Nail Technician you can say, “I did them!” as you give them your business card, and there- you just got yourself a new client, who might get you another 2 clients, and so on.
Find as many places to advertise for free online.
Avoid paper advertisements as they create garbage and may annoy potential clients.
Make use of online booking, there are some free options, do your research!
Always keep your conversations positive when you meet new people. A good service provider makes the service all about the client.
Social Media Pages
Create a professional social media page. The platform choices are endless! For example, a professional Instagram page is a perfect portfolio as you post before and after pictures of your work. It requires pictures only, so you do not have to worry about writing anything. Give yourself an easy user name for people to remember. Remember, the beauty industry is visual, people will judge your work based on what they see.
One on one interactions
Word of Mouth is a slow and steady climb for marketing yourself. However, it results in the strongest foundation possible for your business. Here are example of things your clients might judge:
