Cosmetology: A Bright Spot In Gloomy Employment Landscape (NAPSA)—Searching for a successful and fulfilling profession can be hard work, even without the added anxiety of a contracting job market. But the good news is that there are still some industries that continue to flourish. Cosmetology is one field with cause for optimism. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the profession will grow by 14 percent from 006 to 016, a faster rate of growth than the average for all other occupations studied. Beauty School Is The Best Way This growth rate is one reason that the industry now needs more new professionals than it can sup- ply, making cosmetology a career worth exploring. Think you'd like to be a cosmetologist? The best way to pursue such a career, whether as a hair- stylist, colorist, a esthetician, nail technician or makeup artist, is to go to beauty school. According to Empire Education Group, the nation’s largest chain of cosmetology schools under single ownership, many aspiring cosmetologists are finding that the current job market has madethis the perfect time to go back to school. “When the economy goes down, school enrollment often goes up, and we have already seen a bump,” says Franklin K. Schoeneman, CEO and chairman of Empire Education Group. “Many people who always dreamed of pursuing a career in cosmetology are finding that this is the right time to take that first step. We have many young stu- dents, and there has also been a noteworthy increase in students who are pursuing a second career.” ManyAre Self-Employed One appealing fact is that 46 percent of those working in the Job opportunities in the cosme- tology profession are a lot prettier than other professions. industry are self-employed, according to U.S. Department of Labor estimates. Many stylists enjoy flexible work schedules, an increasingly common demand from those looking for a work-family balance. Whetherit’s opening a salon, becoming a spa director at a resort or doing makeup for runways, photo shootsor local brides, there are many paths to choose within the field of cosmetology, none of which involve sitting behind a desk. Within two months of graduating from Empire Beauty School in Manhattan, Laura Umpierrez has secured an assistant position at a top hair salon. She has worked at New York’s Fashion Week, the U.S. Open and on countless celebrities. “Doing what I love for a living, in such an exciting industry, has been a dream cometrue,” says Umpierrez. To learn about pursuing a career in cosmetology, www.empire.edu. visit
