Getting your foot in the door as an Esthetician

In a few months I am going to go to the Aveda Institute for esthetics as well as massage therapy. My big passion is with esthetics. However, I have heard that it's a tough time for estheticians right now (as it is for most people in this economy). I don't expect any crazy good opportunities to happen for me right away, I just want to get a good head start (if it's even possible)and get my foot in the door of this industry when I get my license.

Is there anything (besides working hard) that I can do in school as well as afterwards afterwards to help myself get a half-way decent job or even start putting my name out there and get some good networking going??

Thank you!

vanillabean in Minnesota said: In a few months I am going to go to the Aveda Institute for esthetics as well as massage therapy. My big passion is with esthetics. However, I have heard that it's a tough time for estheticians right now (as it is for most people in this economy). I don't expect any crazy good opportunities to happen for me right away, I just want to get a good head start (if it's even possible)and get my foot in the door of this industry when I get my license.

Is there anything (besides working hard) that I can do in school as well as afterwards afterwards to help myself get a half-way decent job or even start putting my name out there and get some good networking going??

Thank you!

The one problem which I have with Aveda and Dermalogical schools is that tend to devote their education to their products and proceedures using these products. Of course, that is a good practice to insure that the graduates order and use these products because they are familar with them, but I feel that this limits their education.

When I interviewed someone who has graduated from one of these, I was very careful to examine their knowledge base of other proceedures and products usually not addressed by many of them. For me, it's important to, not only discuss your experience and knowledge with such things as Chemotherapy, microdermabrasion, chromatherapy and acne therapy.

Jeff

vanillabean - if you work hard in school you'll already be ahead of lots of students who are just "getting their hours"! While you are in school you should try and get as many hands on hours as you possibly can. A confident touch is a huge selling point when it comes to the hands-on portion of an esthetician job interview. You should also become as experienced as you possibly can with waxing. You might have to purchase your own wax pot and wax as many friends as you can get your hands on as well!

If there's time for a part time job while you are in school you could look at getting a head start in the following ways:
- work as a receptionist at a local spa. If possible it should be one that you would like to be employed at as an esthetician or massage therapist. You'll be able to watch and learn from the behavior of successful estheticians, and also see what doesn't work.
- intern with a successful solo esty. Again, choose someone who is successful, and approach them with ways that you can help. E.g. marketing assistance - social media, attending events, putting together (e)mailings. Product ordering, inventory, laundry etc
- work at a department store cosmetic counter. This is great for learning sales skills and how to be goal oriented. Also good for on the fly skin analysis, makeup applications etc. Some brands also offer free facials, and as a result the person providing those facials doesn't need to be licensed. This depends on the state, but it is another way of getting professional hands on time. I know we tend to look down on department store brands, but there are some good success oriented lessons to be learned there...

Don't let the specific Aveda philosophies blind you to the wider options within the skincare world:
- go to as many skincare shows, conferences and educational events as you can
- seek out and watch the many (free) online webinars
- read the (also free) online trade magazines

EE

Hi Jeff!
I would like to hear some of your advises for my situation.. I just got my license and been working as an esthetician here in Los Angeles for about a year.. And already love the skin care career.. I hope I be able to grow further in the industry... One of my difficulties is I have to every 3 years into different states due to my husband service in the military.. As the matter of fact, I have to transfer my license back and forth between state and state every time I move in order to be able to continue working in what I love.. That's one of my stressful problem.. I will be moving to Louisiana soon so I'm transferring my license over there.. But the thing is after three years , we may have to move back to California and that's when I have to get my license transferred the other way around.. I know it's really confusing that's how my situation is... I'm sorry if I confused you.. So I saw some opinions about the CIDESCO on this forum ... I'm still not really clear about it but.. Do you think the CIDESCO will help with my situation ? That it's recognized in most of the States and keep me from transferring my license back and forth to be able to continue working every time I move?
I appreciate your time and kindness in helping me clear this question Jeff
Sincerely, Shirley

*I have to move every 3 years into different States*

Shirley T in Montebello, California said: Hi Jeff!
I would like to hear some of your advises for my situation.. I just got my license and been working as an esthetician here in Los Angeles for about a year.. And already love the skin care career.. I hope I be able to grow further in the industry... One of my difficulties is I have to every 3 years into different states due to my husband service in the military.. As the matter of fact, I have to transfer my license back and forth between state and state every time I move in order to be able to continue working in what I love.. That's one of my stressful problem.. I will be moving to Louisiana soon so I'm transferring my license over there.. But the thing is after three years , we may have to move back to California and that's when I have to get my license transferred the other way around.. I know it's really confusing that's how my situation is... I'm sorry if I confused you.. So I saw some opinions about the CIDESCO on this forum ... I'm still not really clear about it but.. Do you think the CIDESCO will help with my situation ? That it's recognized in most of the States and keep me from transferring my license back and forth to be able to continue working every time I move?
I appreciate your time and kindness in helping me clear this question Jeff
Sincerely, Shirley

I'm sorry but CIDESCO would only help you if you and your husband happened to be transfered to europe or you were on a ship licensed in a european country.

I am sorry to say that it looks like that you will have to keep transferring licenses. Have you looked into holding licenses in more than one state at a time? In that way, when you return to CA, you will still have a license and will not have to transfer back.

Dear Jeff
Yes I'm thinking about just keeping my license in California but if I do so.. I can't work and practice as an esthetician during our moving around beside California you know.. Anyway thanks for your feedback and it's very good to know :)