Student Conducts Search for the Right Beauty School
Although Lauren DeQuiroz took several detours on her way to the Federico Beauty Institute, those detours were invaluable life lessons for her.
Lauren believed that experiencing college life was important, however she always knew that she wanted to attend beauty school. Before she pursued her dream of becoming a hair stylist, Lauren attended the University of Colorado for two years.
Lauren began taking classes in an 1800-hour Cosmetology program at a franchise school that was located in the Denver area. After attending the program for a while, Lauren realized the school wasn't right for her. She soon recognized that the school's curriculum was not sufficient in scope or breadth to allow students to be prepared to pass the State Boards. (Most states require licensure as a prerequisite for practicing Cosmetology.)
Locating a Quality Beauty School Curriculum
Lauren had to look carefully for a beauty school that would meet all of her requirements: a school that could offer her both hands-on, practical training in a real-life salon setting, and a thorough curriculum that would ensure that she would be ready to take the State Boards. A third aspect - finding a school that taught the Pivot Point curriculum - was equally vital.
Lauren became acquainted with Pivot Point at the beauty school in Denver. This school utilized Pivot Point equipment, such as tripods, and followed Pivot Point's book, entitled "Salon Fundamentals." When Lauren checked into it, she learned that the school in Denver was actually NOT Certified in Pivot Point, and had no future plans to become a Pivot Point member school.
She started a broad research project to locate the exact beauty school that met her criteria. She spent a lot of time on the Pivot Point Academy website and became interested in the Pivot Point hair and skin care education.
"We'll teach you to see, think, create and adapt as a designer - not just duplicate the latest fashion trends - but to be the innovator of these trends." - a direct quote from the Pivot Point website. Lauren managed to narrow her search down to only a handful of beauty schools. Among these, she thought that Federico's website was the most well-organized, interesting and engaging. "I especially liked Gary Federico's video," she remarked.
Lauren was just as impressed with the responsiveness of the staff at Federico. She said, "The majority of the schools I called were not very cooperative or prepared to quickly send me the details I required to make a decision. Federico was very helpful... the information I sought was sent immediately, and then they communicated with me through email every day."
The last step was touring Federico's campus in Sacramento. The staff was even friendlier and helpful in person. She appreciated having the main office on site and that everyone with whom she had to meet, including admissions, financial services, and career services, was located in one building.
These factors were integral to Lauren's beauty school selection:
- Federico has a longstanding tradition of 60 years as a beauty school;
- Federico is a member school of Pivot Point International;
- Federico's catalog states that the school's mission is "designated to assist the student's capability to pass the Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology licensing examination";
- The school offers an externship program that allows students to spend one day a week in a Sacramento-area beauty salon, where they are able to shadow experienced beauty professionals, and receive hands-on training outside of the classroom.
A Bright Future
On Monday, December 22, 2008, Lauren became a graduate of Federico's Cosmetology program. With the help of Federico's Student Services, she will now be adding the finishing touches to her resume. She wants to find a salon in the Stockton CA region - about an hour from Sacramento - so that she will be near her family and friends.
Jennifer Hancock, Federico's Student Services Coordinator, is working to help Lauren find a job in a Stockton-area salon even though Federico has worked for years with salons in the Sacramento area that hire many Federico graduates. On behalf of Lauren, Jennifer will send her resume and details regarding Federico Beauty Institute, to the two salons that Lauren has selected in Stockton.
Lauren is full of confidence that she will be able to find a great job. "Federico is well respected and highly thought of in northern California. It's great to have Federico training on my resume." Is there a doubt in anyone's mind that Lauren will pass the State Boards that she is scheduled to take on January 16th, begin her career in beauty and continue on to become a successful beauty professional?