An Interview With an Educator

A Look Inside Our Cosmetology Program From an Educators’ POV

Change can be scary but change itself is inevitable. The question is, do you want to be in control of the change that is working its way into your life or would you rather sit back and hope for the best possible outcome? Here at Creative Images, we believe that change is good, especially when you grab it by the horns and steer it in the direction that you want. That’s where we come in!

The thing I love most about our school is our students and the beautiful lives they bring with them. We have students who are single moms in their 40’s just looking for a career to feed their souls while we also have students who are coming straight to us fresh out of high school, not knowing fully what they want to do but they know they live and breathe all things beauty. We have students who have been in the rat race for years and finally decided they have had enough and they’re ready to be their own boss, set their own hours. There are students who are breaking generational norms by not following their family trade but yet making their own trade and then again, we have students who come to us just so they can get licensed and make a little money on the side.

Whatever your reason is for change, we’re here to help and support you the whole way! Each and every educator on our team also comes from a different background with their own story and their own goals. We strive for this diversification because you don’t learn and you don’t grow unless you’re faced with? You guessed it– change!!

For those of you who may be a little hesitant about inviting chaos into your life and welcoming change into your daily routine, but you know that things cannot remain as they are, consider a career in beauty. For more reasons than you can fathom. Even if beauty persay isn’t where you see yourself in the long run, cosmetology teaches you so much more than just how to perform services and interact with clients. You learn communication, multi-tasking, anatomy, chemistry, epidemiology, dermatology, time efficiency, sales, entrepreneurship, planning, etc. You learn things that you can apply to almost every facet of your life and almost every job field. Still a little hesitant? Check out this interview with one of our Vandalia Cosmetology instructors. Miss Jess is our Phase 3 and Phase 4 daytime cosmetology program educator who also was once a Creative Images student and also earned her belt by spending some time in the field after graduation before returning to CI to start her ultimate career.

1.) What made you first want to explore a career in beauty?

I’ve always been interested in art, design, and science. As a young girl looking to explore my inner artistic side, what better way than with washable markers and Barbie doll or baby dolls? Being able to change the color of their hair over and over again, watching a pair of scissors create a design, and being able to use heat to create a new look– it was all incredible to me.

2.) At what point did you realize that you wanted to be an educator?

I didn’t know until I actually became an educator. I love being able to give back the knowledge I have been given. It’s a rewarding career and education, being able to make a difference in many lives of all ages. You’re a part of life lessons that they will never forget and put in a position to influence decisions, behaviors, strengths, weaknesses, and imaginations.

3.) How long have you been in this career field?

I have been in the career field altogether for about 20 years now. I have been licensed since 2013 but I started at a young age coloring and cutting, styling my sisters’ and my friends’ hair. 

4.) If you could go back, what would you do differently? 

I don’t think I would go back and do anything different. I am very pleased in my choices I’ve made in my career. It has been one of the most fun and rewarding careers I could have chosen for myself.

5.) What advice would you give to someone who was just starting out in school?

The best advice I could give someone just starting in the beauty industry would be don’t rush your gross when growing your business; slow and steady wins the race. At the time, I remember thinking I want to grow fast. I have so much passion and determination to grow. Now after many years, I was able to process growth in real time, being able to get more knowledge and continue to grow every year. Stay focused, believe in your work. If it’s not working, move on, and build bridges but don’t burn them.

6.) For people who may be thinking about joining the beauty world, what should they know going into it?

Working in the beauty industry, to someone who is thinking about it has many benefits. You have the opportunity to be creative and artistic and never limit how far you want to go. You will always have job security.

7.) What changes have you seen in the education and beauty sector as a whole since the pandemic set in?

Changes I have seen are it has sparked the world’s largest remote learning experiment. It’s been a major learning curve for education. It’s been a boom for the world’s fastest growing industries: education and technology. For the beauty industry, beauty product sales are changing, self-pampering has become more popular. Many salons have closed, customers are doing it at home for self care. Customers are for going services because of concerns about physical contact. Many people have lost their jobs and are looking to their savings to cut back on spending.

8.) What’s next for you?

What’s next for me? Continuing to educate myself through the pandemic, continue to provide the best education I can, and continue to be positive through every situation. Always continue to learn as we go.

9.) What’s the best part of being an educator?

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. The best thing about my job is to watch the techniques in education you provided to new artist and watch them create masterpieces. Meeting so many new people and becoming a huge part of their journey. Building relationships and friendships, watching each and everyone become successful as a they continue to grow.

10.) What’s the best thing about this industry?

Your creativity is unlimited, the education never stops. You get to help many people look and feel their best and the opportunities are endless. Learning techniques as the trends change and keeping up with the latest fashion. The education is unlimited as you continue to educate yourself and learn new techniques and new ways.

11.) What can a student expect when they sign up with CI? What topics, fun activities, procedures, etc. do you guys go over throughout the program?

Providing hands-on training, practical experience in the industry, support it takes to pursue a successful career. You will have the flexibility, sense of accomplishment, helping others, and being able to express your creativity. We focus on advanced techniques and professional skills, specialized techniques using Vidal Sassoon world-class training, cutting, and styling. You will also learn about skin care and new techniques. We provide a curriculum that goes above and beyond just the basic skills such as balayage techniques, acrylic application, facials, massages and many more. You are also well prepped for your state board testing and licensing, in addition to support with career assistance and placement.

We get it– change is a tough monster to face at times but then again, change is the only thing standing between you and your dreams. Invest in yourself. Take the risk and jump. Our educators and our entire staff at Creative Images is here to catch you and support you. Whether you’re wanting to be the next Tabatha Coffey or just simply gain some inside tips and tricks on entrepreneurship and being your own boss, look at a career in beauty. For more information on our programs and all that CI has to offer, check out our programs page or head on over to our contact page to get in touch with our admissions team. You can do this!