By Colette Neva, LE
Aesthetics Institute Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations
Congratulations on choosing to start your career in beauty! Your next step is to select a school.
I currently serve as the Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations at the Aesthetics Institute in Portland, Oregon.
My esthetics career began when I completed a cosmetology program at a beauty school in 2003. I also received my advanced esthetics certificate from the Aesthetics Institute in 2013.
Throughout my career of over twenty years in the beauty industry, I have discussed career opportunities after graduation at various schools in the Portland area and had the privilege of serving on one of their boards.
This experience has provided me with an insider’s perspective on many different programs and schools in the area.
I’m not here to tell you which school is the best, as the school you choose should be the best fit for you. However, I will explain how to discover that perfect fit.
Before exploring schools, you should determine where you want to work after graduation. You have many options, including a spa, med spa, dermatologist’s office, plastic surgeon’s office, laser clinic, salon, or even starting your own business. Your choice of workplace will influence the treatments you provide.
Additionally, consider the environment and demographics of the clients you aim to serve. I highly recommend visiting a business that aligns with your goals and scheduling a service with one of their employees.
Take this opportunity to ask your technician questions about their journey, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the job. This may help you determine if this is a suitable path or assist in adjusting your original plans.
Now you are ready to consider schools. The obvious first step is to research schools online. You will want to choose a school that offers the treatments you wish to provide in your professional career. After selecting a few schools that meet your criteria based on their websites, you will want to schedule a tour.
The school tour typically includes an admissions counseling session to discuss costs and payment options. During the tour, observe the school’s atmosphere. Does it feel positive among the current students and instructors?
Additionally, ensure there is sufficient equipment for the number of students. Be ready with questions to ask during your school tour, particularly if they are not explicitly addressed by your host. You may want to inquire about:
How long has the school been in operation?
Some schools come and go, while others have been around for many years. Although a newer school isn’t inherently bad, you may have fewer opportunities to read reviews from former students, which can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the quality of education it offers.
Furthermore, schools that have been around for a long time are likely doing something right, or they wouldn’t remain in business.
What programs are offered by the school?
Some schools offer a wide range of programs, from hair and nails to esthetics and phlebotomy, as well as numerous other certifications and skills. Other schools may focus on a specific area of the beauty industry. While it may seem that more programs indicate a better school, this is not always the case.
If you plan to enroll in multiple programs, such as hair, nails, and esthetics to obtain your full cosmetology license, be sure to ask about the time dedicated to each area of specialty. Some schools, despite offering many programs, actually spend most of their time concentrating on just one.
What is the level of their accreditation?
Schools have various levels of accreditation, from state to federal. While neither is inherently better nor worse, it is essential to understand the distinctions in what each accreditation level entails.
Depending on the accreditation requirements, you may find that you need to spend significantly more time in a program to acquire the same skills that other schools offer in a shorter period.
How long have the instructors been teaching at their school? What is their staff turnover rate and student-to-instructor ratio?
The student-to-instructor ratio is essential as it strongly indicates how involved the school intends to be in its education. Although each school cannot entirely control instructor turnover, significant and frequent turnover may suggest that the instructors at that school are not receiving adequate support from the administration.
How do they assist their graduates with job placement?
While no school can promise you a job after graduation (and if they do, it is a major red flag), they should have a comprehensive program to assist their graduates in finding employment or starting their own businesses. Find out what this program entails for each school and how much support they provide to their graduates in the long term.
What is their graduation rate? What is their passing rate for the state exam? What is their graduate employment rate?
Reputable and professional schools will include this information in their admissions marketing materials, display it on their websites, or provide it readily upon request. If you cannot obtain this information from the school or if they are unclear about these metrics, that is another red flag when choosing a school.
Do students take clients for treatments?
Working with clients prepares you for real-life experiences in the treatment room. It also allows you to address a wider variety of skin types and conditions.
Are clients supplied by the school, or do I need to bring my own?
Some schools cater to specific clientele for their students, while others do not. Many students struggle to secure their own clients. Even if you attract your own clients, they will still typically need to pay for the treatments they receive.
What classes can I opt in for that are not included in the program?
Some schools include all treatments in the tuition cost, while others offer their classes “a la carte.” This means you may pay a base tuition price, but if you want to learn certain treatments, such as dermaplaning, they will charge an additional fee to learn that skill.
How long will it take to complete the program?
This assists you in planning for your graduation and transition into a new professional realm.
Will I receive any certifications?
Some states require additional certifications beyond your esthetics license to perform specific treatments. Verify what certifications are needed in your state. This may include certain services you can or cannot perform under your esthetics license.
In Oregon, you will need additional certifications in chemical peels, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion if you want to offer those services to clients.
What level of access do students have to machines?
It is beneficial to determine whether you will master a treatment only during the specific chapter or if you will have the opportunity to continue practicing it throughout your time as a student.
This is not an exhaustive list of questions, but it should help you get started. I also recommend receiving a service from a student at the schools you are considering, either before or after your tour.
This will provide an opportunity to experience a service that you would actually be learning and compare what the student says about their experience attending the school to what the school representative tells you.
While not every student at a school will have the same or even a positive experience, you can still gain valuable insights from someone who is currently going through the program you would be enrolled in.
The Aesthetics Institute in Portland, Oregon, has been serving students and the community for over 40 years. We would love the opportunity to answer all of these questions and more when you visit our campus.
We wish you luck in finding your perfect beauty school, and we hope to have the chance to be part of your search!