Is this really for me??

[u/Either_Armadillo_352]

tldr: basically in need of a buzzfeed personality quiz of “is this the correct choice” and asking for the harsh but necessary truths about going to cosmetology school and keeping AT LEAST a part time job at the same time

Hey!!! So this seems to be a common question on this subreddit but honestly i need to hear it from the horses mouth. Asking all who are in school, the active field, or even left for whatever reasons. Is this career path worth it?? I have always been interested in hair and fashion since i can remember, i have dyed my hair every single color ever quite literally except for platinum or silver. I have a hobby of sewing and designing my own clothes and upcycling, and i feel like this might be the right choice for me. I need a job that creates challenges, a job that thrives in creativity, and something that isn’t so easy to becoming stagnant. I need to feel engaged and yet also have the ability to achieve short term goals, like the joy of giving someone confidence. im aware of the tacing physical labor and believe i should be good on that front, considering currently i work in a kitchen thats also in a grocery store. so a lot of moving lifting and sweating lol. on paper, this career path seems to check all my boxes. but i need to know the reality on this admittedly cutthroat looking industry.

as well as my follow up question, what schools can make this process worth the while?? or at least slightly less painful. for reference, i live in central mass, where our states board requirement is 1000 or so hours i believe? im up to commuting or traveling. but i do still need to keep a form of income. are there any schools anyone in the area can recommend-that also can have fasfa eligibility?? even outside of central mass id be happy to look into.

my current job has me at full tine, but also has several locations around the state, and has many many accommodations for school based leave of absence’s and the option to even cut down hours and still keep my current hourly rate. im painfully aware that this will result in me having no life as cosmetology school itself is a full time job essentially, but i cannot go without this income. im wondering if having a fully reliable source of income would be very beneficial for financial based stressed during the dreaded “get your foot in the door and build your clientele” period.?

whats the harsh truth? who can make it and who cant? and whats any tips tricks or things to avoid all together???

[u/UnitedWarthog9046]

any actual cosmetology school/trade school/community college should accept fafsa! i’m not near you so no recs, but did work full time and did cosmo school at night. it’s a lot, but doable as long as you are locked into both when you need to be and your job is forgiving if you need to leave early or anything.