| Beauty Articles :: Beauty School Confidential |
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| Beauty School Spotlight: Paul Mitchell The School |
| by Dawn Papandrea |
Perceptions of the beauty industry aren't always pretty, admits Winn Claybaugh, co-founder and dean of Paul Mitchell The School , with 66 locations across the country. "In a room full of 1,000 students recently, I asked how many of them had people try to talk them out of pursuing Beauty Careers -- almost every hand went up."
Yet industry leaders like Claybaugh know that beauty careers can be limitless, and extend far beyond what he calls "old-school knowledge of the stereotypical hairdresser." That being the misperception that only those who can't make it through a traditional academic program turn to Beauty Schools.
To combat such notions, Claybaugh hopes the philosophy taught through Paul Mitchell The School will open minds and career opportunities for budding beauty professionals. For starters, beauty education extends far beyond haircuts and coloring, he says. "Students learn about networking, working photo shoots, they've assisted at Los Angeles and New York fashion weeks, worked on top music videos including one for Christina Aguilera, and attend industry events usually exclusive to Salon owners," he explains. In short, Paul Mitchell The School students are exposed to the "best of the best" in the beauty community.
And Claybaugh should know. As a beauty schools educator for over 20 years (he cofounded Paul Mitchell The School five years ago with John Paul DeJoria), he's built substantial relationships with the superstars of the beauty industry. "I've got friends in every single beauty company, in every single city. They are my best friends -- literally."
As such, Claybaugh is quick to point out to students of beauty schools that even though he works for Paul Mitchell, it's important to never have a career exclusive of other people. "We're all in the same industry, and I never let the banner that I stand under limit me and not make friendships," he says.
Besides friendships, Claybaugh stresses the importance of a solid education foundation when starting beauty careers. "We need to provide students with enough passion, enough resources, and with a strong foundation so that when they do graduate from Paul Mitchell The School, they are equipped." That's why the curriculum includes all different aspects of the beauty world, so students get a taste of the various directions in which they can take their career, from working on fashion shoots or owning a salon, to being a beauty company representative or an educator.
For any student thinking about the beauty industry, Claybaugh recommends getting connected as quickly as you can through a Web site, with mentors -- "find a cool salon in your area, and ask if you hang out or even sweep up hair." Then, find a support system among your surroundings.
Once aspiring beauty professionals push past the negativity, the potential for a successful career is there for those who work hard, Claybaugh encourages. "Nobody really dictates how much a hairdresser can make. Graduates have proven that they can make a lot of money."
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