Beauty & Fitness

Beauty & Fitness Degrees

A Cosmetology degree will provide you will skills for hair styling, cutting, and coloring, giving manicures and pedicure, makeup application, and skin care techniques. There are also cosmetology certification and degree programs that may qualify you for a license in your state. Although license requirements vary per state, most require you to be at least 16 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, graduate from beauty, barber, or cosmetology school, and pass the state’s cosmetology exam. Some cosmetology schools offer an associate’s degree program in business, and are for students who want to learn skills and knowledge for opening their own salons. Licensed cosmetologists are able to work in salons, spas, retail stores, and on TV and movie sets, as hair stylists, manicurists, or aestheticians.

To become a personal trainer and work in a gym, health club or client’s home, you must be certified. Personal trainers help their clients identify their fitness goals and develop training and exercise programs to achieve those goals. Personal trainers must take classes, train, and work alongside experienced trainers before training clients of their own. Some employers require personal trainers to have a bachelor’s degree in physical education or exercise science. Personal trainers should be knowledgeable in nutrition, weight management, sports medicine, biomechanics, and training techniques.

Job Opportunities for Beauty & Fitness

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists will increase by about 20 percent between 2008 and 2018. This growth is due to the increasing population who need basic hair services. The demand for advanced hair treatments and hair coloring is becoming more popular among younger generations, as well as older people.

Employment of personal trainers and fitness workers is expected to increase 29 percent between 2008 and 2018. More people are concerned with being healthy and fit, and are spending time and money on fitness. Also, more personal trainers are needed to help train the obese population, especially children. Self-employed personal trainers may earn much higher salaries since they make their own rates for their services.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlooks Handbook, 2010 – 2011 Edition.