Should I change my career?

Question

In May 2009, I will graduate with a BS in Accounting.

I have always wanted to be a hair stylist, but was discouraged. I don't really enjoy accounting-except for tax and financial planning. Also, my GPA has taken a hit bc I stayed in school during my pregnancy and while my daugther was very young.

I am seriously considering going to beauty school to become a hair stylist. I want to have my own business someday. I am 31. Is it true that customers do not want an older person to style their hair? Should I stick with accounting or should I pursue a career in the arts where I may settle into a job as salon manager etc....

Answer 1

do whatever u wanna do if u have a dream then live that dream but only u can tell u what to do.

Answer 2

I have been in your shoes. I had my son while I was finishing elementary education B.A. And it was there that I saw that I was much happier working as a ECE educator. I regret the fours years and the expensive semesters I spent at University.

If styling is your passion, I think you ought to do it, but considering that you so very close to completing your school, maybe you should finish it and take some styling classes at the weekend, to get your feet wet.Accounting could be an asset, if you should ever want to own your own beauty salon. Plus working for a few years as an accountant, could save loads of money to buy your business.

At 31, you are hardly considered "a old stylist". To be honest with you, the really young ones (the ones that look barely legal)  with like piercings and blue and purple streaks in their hair kind of scare me off! I am almost 28! I wouldn't trust them with my hair!

Whatever your decisions are, don't make them only on what you are feeling now. Your GPA took a hit, not because you aren't good at accounting, but you had a lot on your plate, and I am sure that you can get back on track these next two semesters.

Good luck :)

Answer 3

Hi Rose - People want someone who is GOOD to cut their hair, someone who is friendly, up on trends but can give the old classics as well, and someone who has lively patter.

There are few things in life worse then being unfulfilled and if you want to be a stylist and own a salon, than that is exactly what you should do. With your background in accounting you should be able to master the very element that makes most businesses fail...a lack of understanding of their finances.

If you are worried that people won't want to have an "old" woman cut their hair, at 31 you hardly qualify as old and by the time your are in the "old" category you can have younger stylists working for you.

The only thing that I would say about accounting though is, it is a much less physically demanding job. Hair stylists are on their feet all day, everyday and as you do age, that may be an issue.

If you do like taxes and financial planning you could focus on that aspect of accounting services and open your own business handling taxes and planning.

Before you dump school, why not talk to a local salon or beauty school. They may let you tag along for a few days to see how you like it or may have taster courses that would give you a better idea of what your day in day out would be like as a hair stylist.

Best wishes hun!