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Nail Technician Courses and Programs: 3 Key Questions You Should Ask
Nail Technician Courses and Programs:
3 Key Questions You Should Ask
In order to find a great nail technician program, it is important to look at the nail technician courses that make up each program's curriculum, and decide if they will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need for career success. Consider the following three key questions as you search for the right nail technician program.
1. Will it Give Me the Hands-On Experience I Need?
As a nail technician, you will perform a wide range of nail-related beauty services, including:
- Manicures and pedicures
- Artificial nails (acrylic, gel, or fiberglass)
- Nail art
- Nail wraps and mending (repair and protection)
It only makes sense that your program should offer you tons of opportunity to practice these skills before you enter the job market. Look for a course that has a heavy practical component, where you get to engage in hands-on learning under the supervision of experienced instructors. Many nail technician courses also provide you with the chance to build your hands-on experience through internships, externships, and sometimes within on-campus beauty salons. Working in the industry prior to graduation is a great way to start making connections with potential employers, and to learn the real-world challenges of your profession.
2. Will it Allow Me to Develop Complementary Skills?
Another way to differentiate yourself in a competitive field is to complete your skill set with related, but different, skills. And, make no mistake about it, nail technology is a competitive field with an expected job growth rate of 19 percent from 2008 through to 2018.* In order to stand out from the crowd, you'll need more than just the basics.
Most nail technician courses will provide you with a background in the industry laws, regulations, ethics, and appropriate sterilization procedures. Beyond this, you should also select a program that helps you develop skills in customer service, business, and computers. These complementary skills will certainly make you more attractive to potential employers. In fact, as selling products and retaining clients becomes increasingly significant to a salon's revenue, they will look for nail technicians who are also effective salespeople.
Plus, basic computer skills are still highly sought-after. Many salons use computers to track appointments, financial transactions, product sales, and inventory.
3. Will it Prepare Me for Licensing?
You must have a license to work as a nail technician. Although licensing qualifications do vary by state, you generally need to graduate from a state-licensed cosmetology school, and then successfully pass a written examination. Therefore, it is very important that your nail technician program meets your state's licensing requirements, and includes preparation for the examination.
Now that you have a better understanding of what to keep in mind when selecting a program, take the next step and check out this guide to nail technician schools in your area today!
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, web site accessed on Dec. 2, 2010
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