What does Cosmetology- Operator Training programs (AAS) mean?

Is cosmetology worth it if...?

• if i dont have to pay for college? Theres a 2yr program within my high school that they say is worth 11,000 but the high school pay for all of it... im sort of confused, because people say cosmetology is generally an extremely lowpaying job and that its not worth it at all... do they mean like debt wise? because if the school is basically paying for me to become a licensed cosmetologist then there wouldnt be any debt for me to pay off... im torn between the EMT program and the cosmetology program... to be honest i'd rather do the cosmetology program just because it looks so much easier and less physically demanding, and to a certain extent much more interesting... a lot of people tell me that 10 or 20 years from now if i go down the cosmetology road that i will regret it and eventually "making people pretty" will no longer be fun or appealing. my ideal job is medical assisting / nursing but i refuse to go to a place like everest and i cant find anywhere else that offers medical assistant training, and i'd have to pay for college if i want to pursue either of my ideal jobs. so right now its either EMT training (paid for by my high school) cosmetology (paid for by the high school) i would really love to do something interesting and fun, can someone please discuss the pros and cons of each job and give me your opinion please? (:

• Answer:

  If it truly is free to you AND you would not be neglecting any other part of your education while attending, then you could certainly do it. Cosmetology is hard work, and most cosmetologists do not earn above the national salary average. Many women pick cosmetology because it is fun to make people look good, however it does get old and it is very tiresome. As for picking a program, EMTs work harder and get paid better (on average). Both are physically demanding, and even as a cosmetologist you will be on your feet all day. EMT training is more in line with your future goals in healthcare and would definitely help you to be taken more seriously when you apply for jobs, internships and college in that area. Finally, whatever you choose to do, you should definitely not let it keep you from going to college. Your earning potential after college will be much higher and your personal improvement is priceless. College is easily funded with grants, loans and scholarships, leaving you only with monthly payments to worry about after you find work after graduation. The analogy I give people for college education is this: you are like a kindergartener who knows how to add and subtract, but the college educated person is like someone who knows algebra and tries to explain why it is important to the kindergartener. There is so much you don't know yet, that all I can do is tell you to trust me, college is important. Oh, and college can also be interesting and fun ;)