So I’m 19 years old and I just graduated high school. My plan was to get my nail technician license, and become a full time nail tech. I am licensed and currently looking for salon jobs to build clientele.
I have been taking clients for a few months now, but I was going to switch over to a salon part time for more of a consistent income. (I also want to tech nail courses in the future as well)
My parents keep telling me that I should go to college in the mean time for a business degree, and I’m not sure if it’s going to be worth it. I did plan on the future to take a business course when I have to open my own suite. Should I just go to college?
I am currently in my last year of a business degree, so I think I might be able to give some insight on my experience.
Before enrolling, I used to be an Automotive Technician making 49k per year and wanting something more out of life, so I enrolled in an Undergrad as a business technology major. I can tell you that I feel slightly disappointed in my University experience, although I gained knowledge on a couple valuable topics, most of my course have left me feeling like I’m wasting my time.
But I do not regret going to business school. I’ve been able to do a couple paid internships that paid me twice as much for work that is a lot more enjoyable. During one of my internships, I have joined a startup to analyze and improve their business’ processes. I was surprised how they were able to stay afloat with the way they ran their business. It was an extremely rewarding experience and I felt valued in a workplace for the first time. I have also met many great people that I’m proud to call friends.
Undergrad is definitely not for everyone, Its not easy, there was nights where I felt like rolling myself into a ball and crying myself to sleep. So you have to ask yourself what is your end goal. Getting an MBA to end up as a nail tech is most likely not worth the hassle and money. You might do a degree and discover that you enjoy that far more then doing nails, just like I never considered a masters degree until this year.
Deciding whether to go to college while building your career as a nail technician can be tough. Your plan to work in a salon and eventually teach nail courses shows you’re committed to this field. A business degree could be useful for running your own suite in the future, as it would teach you about management, marketing, and finance. However, college is a significant time and financial commitment. You might consider other flexible options like online courses or part-time programs to gain business skills. Ultimately, the decision depends on your career goals and personal circumstances. It’s a good idea to talk to professionals in the beauty industry for different perspectives before making your choice. I found an article that might be able to help you decide https://www.cuppa.so/post/college-degree-vs-real-world-experience-which-matters-more