Thinking about going to cosmetolgy school to become hair stylist in Chicago. I have so many questions.

I've considered going to cosmetology school for sometime. I have a four year college degree in Theater. I started out as a graphic design major in college and recently went back to take more classes in graphics. I hated it. I already sit at a computer all day at an underpaid photo editing job with no health insurance.

I'm concerned though about paying $15,000 - $16,0000 to go back to school. I'm concerned I won't be able to support myself straight out of school because I have read through the posts here and some people say they make $10 an hour as a stylist. I could not live on that in Chicago. I am just a one person household with two cats.

I'm also not sure which school to choose. I don't think there are many choices. It looks like Pivot Point or Aveda are about the only ones here in or close to the city.

Can anyone tell me what it's like starting out as a stylist once you graduate? Are there jobs that pay enough for one to support themselves straight out of school if you are in a large city?

Also - can anyone recommend a school in Chicago?

Thank you for any help or suggestions. I appreciate it!

Rachel,

I am like you in that I have a college degree and decided to go to cosmetology school to be a hairstylist. It is true you don't make very much fresh out of school, but there is potential to make a lot of money as a hairstylist, so the question you must ask yourself is how much uncertainty you are comfortable with when it comes to income. Every salon is different, but where I work you are on straight commission after a few months on the floor, which is definitely rough when you don't yet have an established clientele. I can't give you an exact figure but as an apprentice you probably will make about $20,000/yr (give or take a few thousand, and this includes tips), and your first year or so on the floor will be roughly the same, unless you happen to get your chair when someone who has a lot of client

There is also a significant difference in income for being a colorist versus a stylist (ie cutting hair). It is a sad but true fact that color services are more expensive than haircuts, and therefore colorists, on AVERAGE, make far more money than cutters. You can make extremely good money being a colorist at a high end salon once you have your clientele established.

The biggest factors to success in this industry are how hard you work, the training you receive, people skills and confidence.

Training and income are closely related, and apprenticing at a high end salon with a reputation for excellent work will ultimately pays off because it will give you the skills and know how to not only do great work but to be compensated well for it. I won't lie, assistanting isn't glamourous and can sometimes be a lot of labor but it is well worth it if you are learning from the best in the field.

As far as schools are concerned it doesnt really matter that much, the apprenticeship is really where you are going to learn
to do hair, not in beauty school. That said I would choose aveda over pivot point.

rachel_b in Oak Park, Illinois said: I've considered going to cosmetology school for sometime. I have a four year college degree in Theater. I started out as a graphic design major in college and recently went back to take more classes in graphics. I hated it. I already sit at a computer all day at an underpaid photo editing job with no health insurance.

I'm concerned though about paying $15,000 - $16,0000 to go back to school. I'm concerned I won't be able to support myself straight out of school because I have read through the posts here and some people say they make $10 an hour as a stylist. I could not live on that in Chicago. I am just a one person household with two cats.

I'm also not sure which school to choose. I don't think there are many choices. It looks like Pivot Point or Aveda are about the only ones here in or close to the city.

Can anyone tell me what it's like starting out as a stylist once you graduate? Are there jobs that pay enough for one to support themselves straight out of school if you are in a large city?

Also - can anyone recommend a school in Chicago?

Thank you for any help or suggestions. I appreciate it!

jUST TO LET YOU KNOW , YOU BETTER OFF GOING NURSING SCHOOL INSTEAD .
BEING WITH THE BUSINEES FOR LONG TIME I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT .
TAKE MY WORD .
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!

GRAHAM WEBB ACADEMY in Arlington VA is very appealing because they teach Swartzkopf hair color (which I hear is difficult to learn- and great to know)- in addition to other products. QUESTION: Any insight to the value of this training over Aveda... I keep hearing AVEDA AVEDA - but all you learn there is AVEDA and that concerns me - not being trained on the standard Wella color etc... thanks. Kathryn

Hi I am a junior who attends John mcdonogh high school. I am currently taking cosemtology and this is my 2nd year in it. I really love the class and im thinking of becoming a real cosmetologist, but i dont know where to begin. If anybody have any ideas of where i should begin my email address is loveariane@rocketmail.com please email me with suggestions.

hi i am a middle school student who wants to be a cosmetologist i love doing hair but i dont jno what school i want to go to its a hard decision!!!!!!!!!!

I would not do Aveda, since their product is so different that when you go to train you almost have to learn the coloring system completely over. Try Paul Mitchell, located at UIC campus. They have such an excellent program. I just graduated from the Normal, IL location and have found that when I go on interviews my skills are way above average

rachel_b in Oak Park, Illinois said: I've considered going to cosmetology school for sometime. I have a four year college degree in Theater. I started out as a graphic design major in college and recently went back to take more classes in graphics. I hated it. I already sit at a computer all day at an underpaid photo editing job with no health insurance.

I'm concerned though about paying $15,000 - $16,0000 to go back to school. I'm concerned I won't be able to support myself straight out of school because I have read through the posts here and some people say they make $10 an hour as a stylist. I could not live on that in Chicago. I am just a one person household with two cats.

I'm also not sure which school to choose. I don't think there are many choices. It looks like Pivot Point or Aveda are about the only ones here in or close to the city.

Can anyone tell me what it's like starting out as a stylist once you graduate? Are there jobs that pay enough for one to support themselves straight out of school if you are in a large city?

Also - can anyone recommend a school in Chicago?

Thank you for any help or suggestions. I appreciate it!

I would recommend that you go to Paul Mitchell located at UIC campus. Excellent program and you graduate with such great skills. I just graduated and when I go on interviews Paul Mitchell is a well recognized program, such as Vidal Sassoon

I am actually in the process of choosing between two schools. One being the Daytona College which uses Pivot Point technique and the other is the International Academy. They both seem to be about the same for tuition, so my question is, does the pivot point education really put you ahead or is better(in reference to training) than going to a school that does not offer that? Im researching everywhere trying to get info on this and cant seem to find any other than from the schools that offer it. Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Yhank you

I am actually in the process of choosing between two schools. One being the Daytona College which uses Pivot Point technique and the other is the International Academy. They both seem to be about the same for tuition, so my question is, does the pivot point education really put you ahead or is better(in reference to training) than going to a school that does not offer that? Im researching everywhere trying to get info on this and cant seem to find any other than from the schools that offer it. Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Yhank you

does anyone know about the schools in jersey city, nj?