Should I get my bachelor degree for business before getting my license for hair after college?

First of all, it's great that you have a plan and goals. That makes it much easier to focus and do well in college or cosmetology school. Depending on where you are going to college and your schedule, it may be difficult to do both cosmetology and college at the same time. Cosmetology is a challenging program and takes a lot of time. Most programs that teach hair care take 25 to 40 hours per week (and sometimes even weekends) and up to 2 years to complete. Trying to do a full-time course load in college and cosmetology school would be almost impossible. You could probably do cosmetology school and a few classes at community college at the same time but even that might be difficult. It takes most people a while to hit their stride in college. It's hard, takes a lot of discipline and time to do well.

Cosmetology school and college are both expensive, too. It's very hard to come out of college with a ton of debt to pay off. If you can avoid incurring debt, do it. The nice thing about getting your cosmetology degree first is that you will have a way to earn money while you are in college. It's pretty easy to get part-time work at a salon or even cut your friend's hair for extra money. After working for a few years as a cosmetologist, you will know an incredible amount about the business of cosmetology which will be invaluable as you go through business school. You will know 100 times more about business and life than your classmates will.

The danger of becoming a cosmetologist first is that you will be able to earn good money and you may decide college is not necessary, which would be a shame. College is an amazing, wonderful, mind expanding experience and will be the best time of your life. And lastly, you may find you don't like cutting hair as much as you thought and you may find something else in college you love even more (like politics or history or medicine or art or computers). Don't be too quick to pigeonhole yourself, but if cosmetology is your true calling, it's a great career.

I would do cosmetology first then college. If you have great grades in high school and scholarships to college and can get into a good school, do that first and get a part-time job as a receptionist, shampoo person, or sweeping up in a salon to earn extra money and see if you like it.

Hi,
I was strolling through and found your question. Hopefully your answer has been revealed and the Lord has ordered your steps.

But, I could not resist from commenting. I asked this same question before I went to school for Cosmetology. I thought I had to major in Business, but the Gift of Managing and Creating was already instilled in me from birth; not to mention Determination.
So, I went the $$ smart route.

I went to school for Cosmetology on full scholarship/grant at Pulaski Tech in Bauxite, AR for two years & graduated 4.0 GPA Highest Honors.
I connected with SKILLSUSA (a great leadership program) & this was very helpful, professionally & financially.

Not long after graduating, I worked in one Salon for about 3 months. I now own my own Salon/Studio in my home town. No, I did not go the traditional route and work for many salons to gain experience, because the passion and fire that God has put in me would not allow me to settle & put my gifts on the shelf.

I had already built a clientele through word of mouth way before school, so once I graduated, it was a smooth transition. GLORY TO GOD!

Using a shop that my dad had built on our property a while back, he allowed me to have it rent/mortgage free!

Of course I renovated and re-constructed it..& we still are now, but business is good and growing. :)

My message to you is: Don't be afraid to start small & untraditionally. Use what you already have. Most people are not going to want to hear your plans without jealousy, so just be prepared for their faithless words trying to stop you.
(I learned not to talk about it, just pray & do it!)

I carried this Scripture with me all throughout Cosmetology school:
Prov. 22:29
& This scripture when I opened up and started accepting clients:
Prov. 13:11

Like Matthew above said, "If it's your calling, you'll succeed in it regardless!" (Paraphrasing)

This is just my story. It's still being written :) As humans, we have so many questions. Continue to pray and seek God. He'll lead the way.

Proverbs 3:3-6

Thanks for listening & May God be with you.

-Kristi

Shout out to SKILLSUSA & BARBIZONUSA for taking me in and nurturing me.
Thank you Lord God for guiding me & never giving up on me!
Thank you mama for praying & never ceasing for us.
Thank you Family/ Educators/ Clients for your support!

KSF VIP SALON STUDIO

Hi,
You have a great answer above. I thought I would add another idea, you could be a cosmetologist first, get a job full or part time and go to college at the same time. This way you have money for living and college, as well as working towards your degree.
Good luck! :)

I always encourage any of my students to take business courses when they plan on working for themselves. You will thank yourself. Think about it this way, this is "your" business....this is what you will do to take care of "you". You want to be successful right? So why not?

I suggest to get your business degree (which wont be hard) and during your last year of college, start looking into cosmetology school. More than likely, you wont need much. While you're in college, you will have to take a science, make sure its chemistry (this is helpful because you will need to know about chemicals during cosmetology school). You will take accounting and algebra (this will help you be smarter about your money - professionally and personally). You will take human behavior, sociology, and management classes (those will help you to become a better business leader and also helping & understanding others).

if you choose to go to college after getting your license, It will be harder for you to go to college because of your work schedule. Also, clients will appreciate your business much better, if they know you have been to college.

I am a Business Education Teacher...and i strive for success and push all my students to be successful. I hope this helps and best wishes to you!