Two more weeks until I return from maternity leave....the positive? I at least have a job to get back to, scratch that...I have my career to get back to!!
I am a cosmetology educator and I love what I do! I have a passion for my career in cosmetology! I didn't know that's what I wanted to do when I got out of high school...I actually had gone to college for business management. I thought I would be better in a business/retail oriented position but when it came down to it, I needed something more hands on and creative.
I went to cosmetology school in 2011 part time and graduated June, 2013. Since then, I've worked at two salons; Park Layne Stylists and Salon J Ladner. Both a completely different experience but both positive! At Park Layne, I learned to work with more experienced stylists, working with clientele that is more conservative. Roller sets, perms, haircuts. At Salon J Ladner, I learned to be more creative, more edgy with the styles I was working with and the clientele was younger. I learned so much from these salons in such short time but my true passion was to be an educator and help spread my knowledge.
When I first started, I was scared. I was nervous that I wasn't experienced enough to be able to teach people this industry but I realized it is not about how long you've done it, it's about how creative you can be to spread the knowledge as everyone learns differently. Some learn by verbal communication, some learn by visual demos, some learn by reading...it's all about how you present it and how it is taken in that sets you apart from the rest. I will admit, I still am learning different processes on how to present my lectures that will appeal to everyone but unless the students have a passion for the work too, I can't fully engage them.
My biggest struggle in this position is gaining respect from some of the students. I am a little older, same age or even younger than some of the students so that makes it hard for them to look at me as a teacher, professional or their boss. It's important to get to know how each person ticks....if your personalities clash, you will not succeed in getting their attention. They will feel as if you are 'picking on them'. Making them follow the rules is difficult but there is a fine line between becoming friends and gaining respect. I am still learning that part of the job but I have faith that I will find that happy medium.
My favorite part of my position is seeing a student 'get it'. When the light goes off and they understand how to complete their masterpiece because with cosmetology, that's what we do....art. We have visions of what and how something will look before it is completed and when the student knows how to get there, it makes me feel complete as an educator. Whether it is an advanced color such as an ombre, balayage, or even a men's haircut. The challenges in this industry are few and far between but they are there, every day! I love seeing my students overcome them.
Even though I would love nothing more than to be home with my baby every day, I am happy that I get to go back. It definitely isn't work if you love what you do!
So you ask, What does being an educator mean to me?
A cosmetologist can change someone's day or even life just by spending a little amount of time
with them. It's about growing a relationship between the student and teacher or client and stylist by listening and catering to their needs, being sincere and
truly caring. It's about being able to use art and talent to help achieve a
look that gives someone not only outer beauty, but confidence to help
them achieve goals while you achieve yours. Being an educator means
truly loving people by giving them positivity for today and a ray of
hope for tomorrow! Being a hairstylist and an educator is MY passion, my career...not
just a J.O.B. (Just over broke). I thrive for success and I am determined to help people look
and feel beautiful inside and out and help aspired students give you that sense of beauty because loving yourself is the most important aspect of life!
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