Why cosmetology programs are failing new stylists from day one

I finished my cosmetology program last year and landed a job at a busy salon. Right away, I realized how little I knew about running a chair. We spent hours on color theory but no time on how to consult with a nervous client. The school focused on technical skills, but soft skills like communication were ignored. I lost a regular because I didn't know how to upsell services properly. It's maddening that these programs don't adapt to what salons actually need. I've had to learn everything from scratch, and it's set my career back. Schools need to listen to working professionals and update their courses.

3 comments

3 Comments

lucast813d ago

Do they even mention how to deal with a bad Yelp review? That stuff can wreck your confidence and no one in school warns you. It's like they forget we're running a small business with our name on the line.

scott.cameron3d ago

Want to hear about my one-star review for serving burnt toast?

quinn6063d ago

Seriously though I used to roll my eyes at reviews like that, like who leaves one star for toast? But after seeing how much a couple bad ones tanked my friend's cafe, it completely flipped my view. That stuff HURTS when it's your livelihood, and people just throw stars around without thinking. Now I see even a silly complaint can stack up and do real damage. Makes you really feel for anyone dealing with it.