9 answers
Bella
Student
Elk Grove, California
1
Question
Asked
921 views
How should I go about being an esthetician?
I am very lost in terms of what to do after high school. I want to get my bachelors in something. I thought maybe to get a degree in business, just so I have a backup plan. What can you even do with a business degree? I applied to all my colleges with business. Should I skip all that and just do the steps to being an esthetician? If so, what should I do?
Login to comment
9 answers
Theophilus Mensah
Entrepreneur
57
Answers
Grambling, Louisiana
Updated
Theophilus’s Answer
Hey Bella, I am glad to answer this. I totally understand how you’re feeling right now. It’s completely normal to feel lost after high school because, honestly, so many of us start college with one plan and later realize there are so many other possibilities out there.
I actually went through something similar. I’ve been passionate about skincare and haircare for years, and I even started my own business while still in school. However, I decided to pursue a degree in Business Management because I knew it would give me a strong foundation to understand the industry well and also to explore many other opportunities. I love to advise people from my experiences and I love to help people solve business problems. I am majoring in Business Management and Computer Information Systems to enter into a career that values my entrepreneurial background and experience and also my zeal to support others. Now, I’ve been running my skincare and haircare business for over five years, and I just got an internship with Deloitte because they value that entrepreneurial experience. It’s proof that you don’t have to pick just one path. You can combine your passions and make it work for you.
If you’re only passionate about being an esthetician, you have a couple of options:
-Go straight into esthetics: You can attend an esthetician school, get licensed, and start working in salons, and spas, or even create your brand.
-Get a business degree while exploring esthetics: This way, you’re building a strong foundation in case you ever want to run your own business in the beauty industry. You can even start an online shop or take certification courses while in school, which will make your resume stand out for future opportunities.
College is also a time to explore. Sometimes we think we have everything figured out, but once we’re exposed to different fields, we realize there’s so much more we can do. So don’t stress too much about choosing the “perfect” path right now. Focus on what excites you, stay open to new opportunities, and take small steps toward your goals.
No matter what, I know you’ll do amazing things! If you ever need advice, I’m happy to help.
Wishing you the best!
I actually went through something similar. I’ve been passionate about skincare and haircare for years, and I even started my own business while still in school. However, I decided to pursue a degree in Business Management because I knew it would give me a strong foundation to understand the industry well and also to explore many other opportunities. I love to advise people from my experiences and I love to help people solve business problems. I am majoring in Business Management and Computer Information Systems to enter into a career that values my entrepreneurial background and experience and also my zeal to support others. Now, I’ve been running my skincare and haircare business for over five years, and I just got an internship with Deloitte because they value that entrepreneurial experience. It’s proof that you don’t have to pick just one path. You can combine your passions and make it work for you.
If you’re only passionate about being an esthetician, you have a couple of options:
-Go straight into esthetics: You can attend an esthetician school, get licensed, and start working in salons, and spas, or even create your brand.
-Get a business degree while exploring esthetics: This way, you’re building a strong foundation in case you ever want to run your own business in the beauty industry. You can even start an online shop or take certification courses while in school, which will make your resume stand out for future opportunities.
College is also a time to explore. Sometimes we think we have everything figured out, but once we’re exposed to different fields, we realize there’s so much more we can do. So don’t stress too much about choosing the “perfect” path right now. Focus on what excites you, stay open to new opportunities, and take small steps toward your goals.
No matter what, I know you’ll do amazing things! If you ever need advice, I’m happy to help.
Wishing you the best!
cody Mccollaum
corrections
13
Answers
Oceanside, California
Updated
cody’s Answer
An esthetician provides a range of services such as facials, skin analysis, hair removal (waxing, threading), makeup application, and advanced skincare treatments like microdermabrasion or chemical peels.
Estheticians work in various settings, including spas, salons, dermatology offices, and wellness centers.
It’s important to know that you’ll need to have great communication skills, a good understanding of skincare, and the ability to work with different skin types.
Estheticians work in various settings, including spas, salons, dermatology offices, and wellness centers.
It’s important to know that you’ll need to have great communication skills, a good understanding of skincare, and the ability to work with different skin types.
Pozisa Madelisa
Sales agent
1
Answer
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Updated
Pozisa’s Answer
I believe that enrolling for a businesse degree will give you a wide variety of choice you can be able to start a business od your own employ people you will also be avoiding the risk of being unemployed when you graduate.
Udi Joy
Sales and customer service
2
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Udi’s Answer
Hi Bella, hope you are doing well as at the time of receiving this message.
I can totally relate with your frustration, is normally and is great that you are thinking about your passion for esthetics and getting your degrees at the same time, am so proud of you.
Well with my experience , I have come to realize that no handwork or degree is wasted, with the current economic situation and inflation of prices on almost every thing, it is wise to have a side hustle for financial stability while chasing your academic dreams.
I will highly recommend you get a licensed as an esthetician While in college and work part time in the industry.
Some schools even offer estheticians certification alongside a business degree .
I hope this is helpful to you and I will you all the best in your career journey.
I can totally relate with your frustration, is normally and is great that you are thinking about your passion for esthetics and getting your degrees at the same time, am so proud of you.
Well with my experience , I have come to realize that no handwork or degree is wasted, with the current economic situation and inflation of prices on almost every thing, it is wise to have a side hustle for financial stability while chasing your academic dreams.
I will highly recommend you get a licensed as an esthetician While in college and work part time in the industry.
Some schools even offer estheticians certification alongside a business degree .
I hope this is helpful to you and I will you all the best in your career journey.
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Alright, Bella, hey there first.
So Firstly, The mentor squad agrees on one thing: You don’t have to choose just one path because you combo moves to the way to go!
So, Here is a littls game plan to smooth it out.
1. If you’re all-in on esthetics: Dive into esthetician school, get licensed, and start working your magic in spas, salons, or even your own gig.
2. If you want that business degree safety net: Major in business while exploring esthetics on the side—hello, future beauty empire!
3. Now though just why not both? 😏 Get your esthetician license while in college. Some schools even let you do both at once—multitasking queen vibes!🥰
Remember you have got great advices and Itotally agree.
Business degree totally Opens doors to marketing, management, and starting your own salon. Also, people love a beauty boss who knows numbers!
Esthetician is a Faster entry into the beauty world, but you might want that biz knowledge later if you’re dreaming of running your own place.
Just, Network like crazy—beauty events, online groups, or even volunteering on makeup gigs will set you up big time.
Remember Bella, Passion is key—but practicality pays bills.😎
At the end of the day whether college or esthetics or both, your glow-up is inevitable. All the best Bella! 🤗😉
Start volunteering and gaining experience.
Mix it up—hard skills (business) + soft skills (esthetics) = unstoppable.
Document your journey—build a killer portfolio with all the looks you create.
So Firstly, The mentor squad agrees on one thing: You don’t have to choose just one path because you combo moves to the way to go!
So, Here is a littls game plan to smooth it out.
1. If you’re all-in on esthetics: Dive into esthetician school, get licensed, and start working your magic in spas, salons, or even your own gig.
2. If you want that business degree safety net: Major in business while exploring esthetics on the side—hello, future beauty empire!
3. Now though just why not both? 😏 Get your esthetician license while in college. Some schools even let you do both at once—multitasking queen vibes!🥰
Remember you have got great advices and Itotally agree.
Business degree totally Opens doors to marketing, management, and starting your own salon. Also, people love a beauty boss who knows numbers!
Esthetician is a Faster entry into the beauty world, but you might want that biz knowledge later if you’re dreaming of running your own place.
Just, Network like crazy—beauty events, online groups, or even volunteering on makeup gigs will set you up big time.
Remember Bella, Passion is key—but practicality pays bills.😎
At the end of the day whether college or esthetics or both, your glow-up is inevitable. All the best Bella! 🤗😉
Dr recommends the following next steps:
Michelle M.
Actress
2302
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Bella !
My advice is definitely go to college for a Bachelors Degree. You would not regret it at all. One of my friends went to California State University, Sacramento and got her degree in Theatre. A few years later, she went to Esthetician School in Carmichael. She did real well with both careers.
If you like business, it would be excellent to Major in Business at California State University, Sacramento or UC Davis. Your degree is not for a "back up plan", it is for a subject you hope to work in and personal growth, gaining knowledge, expanding your social circle and self-discovery. That being said, a Business Degree can help many careers centered around business. So many places that you can work at.
If you wind up going to California State University, Sacramento, since you're so close to Sac, Major in Business, but take the Stage Makeup Course in the Theatre Department. As a Theatre Major, I took it and I can tell you that you will learn character makeup but also everyday street makeup. I loved that course. No mater which college you go to, if they have a Theatre Department, Stage Makeup is a usual course offered. Once you graduate with your degree in Business, then you can go to Esthetician School. It's a great path that you will probably really enjoy.
While you are in high school and college, volunteer to do makeup for the plays and shows and even do hair as well. You will be building up experience and a resume for the time you enroll in Esthetician School. Remember to take photos of all the makeup and hair that you do and create a portfolio. You can also volunteer to do the makeup for plays in the community, too.
The most important thing for you right now is to not worry and enjoy a very fun and rewarding journey. Remember that you may have to do projects in one or more Business courses and you can do your projects incorporating salons, spas or something connected to makeup or facials. You will be able to be active with esthetics as a Business Major by volunteer work as well as the assigned projects.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
My advice is definitely go to college for a Bachelors Degree. You would not regret it at all. One of my friends went to California State University, Sacramento and got her degree in Theatre. A few years later, she went to Esthetician School in Carmichael. She did real well with both careers.
If you like business, it would be excellent to Major in Business at California State University, Sacramento or UC Davis. Your degree is not for a "back up plan", it is for a subject you hope to work in and personal growth, gaining knowledge, expanding your social circle and self-discovery. That being said, a Business Degree can help many careers centered around business. So many places that you can work at.
If you wind up going to California State University, Sacramento, since you're so close to Sac, Major in Business, but take the Stage Makeup Course in the Theatre Department. As a Theatre Major, I took it and I can tell you that you will learn character makeup but also everyday street makeup. I loved that course. No mater which college you go to, if they have a Theatre Department, Stage Makeup is a usual course offered. Once you graduate with your degree in Business, then you can go to Esthetician School. It's a great path that you will probably really enjoy.
While you are in high school and college, volunteer to do makeup for the plays and shows and even do hair as well. You will be building up experience and a resume for the time you enroll in Esthetician School. Remember to take photos of all the makeup and hair that you do and create a portfolio. You can also volunteer to do the makeup for plays in the community, too.
The most important thing for you right now is to not worry and enjoy a very fun and rewarding journey. Remember that you may have to do projects in one or more Business courses and you can do your projects incorporating salons, spas or something connected to makeup or facials. You will be able to be active with esthetics as a Business Major by volunteer work as well as the assigned projects.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Victoria Butler
Tax and Banking Consultant
1
Answer
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Victoria’s Answer
Research and plan. A degree is only necessary depending on what you want to do after becoming an esthetician. There are targeted schools, which will require you to get certain licensing to become an esthetician. After obtaining this licensing, you are then able to rent a booth or suite to provide services to clients with that license alone. However, in the long-term you would like to own your own salon possibly then you could pursue a degree in business management or get a professional certification in business management.
Business Management Degree vs. Licensing- pros and cons (You will have a degree to add to your resume which is good for job applications, but not necessarily entrepreneurship within the esthetician industry because your clientele will want to know you are licensed vs degreed, you will gain further education whichever route you go that can help in the long run, you spend less on licensing vs. a 4 year degree,)
Connect with individuals who have experience in the industry. It may be cliche, but it will always be true that your network can determine your net worth. Whether joining a Facebook group, connecting with people in your community in the same field, going to a beauty event or any alternative way, it's great to have those connections.
Business Management Degree vs. Licensing- pros and cons (You will have a degree to add to your resume which is good for job applications, but not necessarily entrepreneurship within the esthetician industry because your clientele will want to know you are licensed vs degreed, you will gain further education whichever route you go that can help in the long run, you spend less on licensing vs. a 4 year degree,)
Connect with individuals who have experience in the industry. It may be cliche, but it will always be true that your network can determine your net worth. Whether joining a Facebook group, connecting with people in your community in the same field, going to a beauty event or any alternative way, it's great to have those connections.
Ares Rosales
Project Engineer I
1
Answer
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Ares’s Answer
Hi Bella
My advice would be to follow you passion and do a pros and cons list to help you decide and clarify your preferences about them both. A suggestion. on how you can start taking a decision is whether you prefer put hands on or you prefer to organize, plan and make decisions.
If I were in your position I would choose to go for business and have a college degree.
1.- Why? Because you will get strong knowledge on hard skills that you can leverage to rise your own company and mix both of the professions you are mentioning. Esthetician careers have soft skills that you can learn meanwhile you are in college like in your free time as I can see it from my perspective.
2.- How? As your passion I assume is everything related to skincare and estheticians, you can open a franchise of products knowing how the business works in matter of financial, logistics, inventory, suppliers, investments, etc., be your own boss at your own company, otherwise you will be an employee of someone else business which is fine if that is what you are looking for, once again I remark my first suggestion on what do you prefer to do
3.- Benefits?
- As an esthetician, practice makes excellence so you will be growing your skills until you ease and enjoy the process you make, stay at a comfort zone or continue practicing and climb for better job opportunities, the salary will depend on your skills and the job owner.
- As a business owner, you will have the skills to start up growing a business from zero, the process maybe will be slow at first but then with patience, discipline and constancy you will grow up your business until you get a franchise. Your salary will depend on your business health and financials.
4.- Notes
- At my perspective it is easier if you learn hard skills firsts and then soft skills, what I mean is that it would be easy to learn business and then/meanwhile esthetician subjects, than learning esthetician first and then business. I will share to you a life example, I have an engineering degree, and it was easy for me study finance and data science matters because I already had the hard skills that were needed, rather than if I have had another degree nonrelated to the hard skills I had learned in college.
My final suggestions would be, always follow your passion, your dreams, but be accountable of your decisions and always be proud of what you choose and keep working hard until you feel strong enough to face any adversity may cross in your way.
My advice would be to follow you passion and do a pros and cons list to help you decide and clarify your preferences about them both. A suggestion. on how you can start taking a decision is whether you prefer put hands on or you prefer to organize, plan and make decisions.
If I were in your position I would choose to go for business and have a college degree.
1.- Why? Because you will get strong knowledge on hard skills that you can leverage to rise your own company and mix both of the professions you are mentioning. Esthetician careers have soft skills that you can learn meanwhile you are in college like in your free time as I can see it from my perspective.
2.- How? As your passion I assume is everything related to skincare and estheticians, you can open a franchise of products knowing how the business works in matter of financial, logistics, inventory, suppliers, investments, etc., be your own boss at your own company, otherwise you will be an employee of someone else business which is fine if that is what you are looking for, once again I remark my first suggestion on what do you prefer to do
3.- Benefits?
- As an esthetician, practice makes excellence so you will be growing your skills until you ease and enjoy the process you make, stay at a comfort zone or continue practicing and climb for better job opportunities, the salary will depend on your skills and the job owner.
- As a business owner, you will have the skills to start up growing a business from zero, the process maybe will be slow at first but then with patience, discipline and constancy you will grow up your business until you get a franchise. Your salary will depend on your business health and financials.
4.- Notes
- At my perspective it is easier if you learn hard skills firsts and then soft skills, what I mean is that it would be easy to learn business and then/meanwhile esthetician subjects, than learning esthetician first and then business. I will share to you a life example, I have an engineering degree, and it was easy for me study finance and data science matters because I already had the hard skills that were needed, rather than if I have had another degree nonrelated to the hard skills I had learned in college.
My final suggestions would be, always follow your passion, your dreams, but be accountable of your decisions and always be proud of what you choose and keep working hard until you feel strong enough to face any adversity may cross in your way.
Jason Lee
Consulting
27
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Bella,
I'm going to answer your questions in three sections as follows.
1. What can you even do with a business degree?
Work in marketing, finance, management, or entrepreneurship
Start your own business or manage a spa/salon
Enter corporate roles like HR, operations, or sales
Gain transferable skills useful in many industries
2. How should I decide whether to be an esthetician or not?
Passion: Do you enjoy skincare, beauty treatments, and working with clients?
Career Goals: Do you want hands-on work or prefer a business/office role?
Job Market: Research demand and salaries for estheticians in your area
Education/Time Commitment: Esthetician programs take months, while a business degree takes years
3. How should I decide to skip a business degree and be an esthetician or not?
If you are 100% passionate about esthetics and don't see yourself using a business degree, esthetics may be a better path
If you want flexibility and a broader career safety net, a business degree could be useful
Consider combining both: Get an esthetician license first and later pursue business to run your own practice
<Next Steps if You Choose Esthetics>
Research and enroll in a licensed esthetician program (typically 6–12 months)
Get hands-on training and complete required hours
Pass your state board exam to become licensed
Gain experience through a spa, salon, or dermatology clinic
Consider business courses later if you want to open your own business
Hope this helps!
I'm going to answer your questions in three sections as follows.
1. What can you even do with a business degree?
Work in marketing, finance, management, or entrepreneurship
Start your own business or manage a spa/salon
Enter corporate roles like HR, operations, or sales
Gain transferable skills useful in many industries
2. How should I decide whether to be an esthetician or not?
Passion: Do you enjoy skincare, beauty treatments, and working with clients?
Career Goals: Do you want hands-on work or prefer a business/office role?
Job Market: Research demand and salaries for estheticians in your area
Education/Time Commitment: Esthetician programs take months, while a business degree takes years
3. How should I decide to skip a business degree and be an esthetician or not?
If you are 100% passionate about esthetics and don't see yourself using a business degree, esthetics may be a better path
If you want flexibility and a broader career safety net, a business degree could be useful
Consider combining both: Get an esthetician license first and later pursue business to run your own practice
<Next Steps if You Choose Esthetics>
Research and enroll in a licensed esthetician program (typically 6–12 months)
Get hands-on training and complete required hours
Pass your state board exam to become licensed
Gain experience through a spa, salon, or dermatology clinic
Consider business courses later if you want to open your own business
Hope this helps!