Trading up.

A little something on getting an education in a trade:

One of my biggest regrets in life is not going to Beauty School while in High School.  I have a friend (hi Shiloh!) who did this and I am sorta jealous.  I felt like if I didn't go to a University that people would think I wasn't smart enough, or that I gave up... Fast forward 3 years in College that's exactly what a lot of people thought.  After I dropped out of BYU-I to go to Beauty School, some of the responses I got were:

• "Really...?  Did you fail your classes?"
• "You're going to Beauty School?   That's it?"
• "So after that are you going to finish at a real school?"

Despite negative feedback, I felt that my decision was right.  It all boiled down to one night.  I remember laying in my bed thinking, "I don't even care about Broadcast/Journalism.  I spend 90% of class doodling or wondering when it's going to end.  Why am I here?  Will this even make me happy?  Am I even going to use this degree?"  It made me wonder what I really had a passion for.  Turns out my doodling was a clue.  I wanted an artistic outlet.  I spent countless nights doing roommate's and neighbor's hair for dances, or in Amber's case, for a normal day in class.  (Love you Amber, hope you still remember how to put your hair in a pony!)  I got up, hopped on the internet and was amazed that a Beauty School was literally 1 mile from my parent's house.  I started blocking out how I was going to pay for it all and decided I'd better see if I could at least get my Associates Degree.  Turns out the next day was the LAST day to apply for graduation.  I remember calling my dad the next day (scared to death) to tell him I was going to get my Associates Degree the following April (2 month from then) and move home to go to Beauty School.  I'm pretty sure he was a little lost for words.  My parents were supportive, but I'm sure still hesitant.  No one in my family had ever gone to a trade school.  What should they expect?  How much would it cost?  Would I make the money back with the job that would follow?  I worked hard all summer.  Saved every penny I could.  Come to find out it would cost me around $850 a month to go.  (this is where I covet Shiloh and her intuition to go to Beauty School in High School- it's like a $15000 difference in price)  I was able to hold two jobs and school full time for 13 months.  (*side note* my mom was YW Prez in our home ward and called me to Camp Director that year...and I got married 3 weeks after camp.  To this day I have no idea how i survived....)  One of my jobs was assisting in a salon.  I wanted to be the best hairdresser when I graduated and felt I needed to learn as much as possible in those short 13 months.  I learned more there for real world work than anywhere else.  Lucky for me I also have an incredibly supportive husband.  He spent our first 3 years of marriage allowing me to hone my art.  His career was on the back burner so i could learn.  I'm grateful for every day of those first 3 years.  I developed a love for hair, people and non-traditional education.  I finally found something that was 100% me and would forever bless Grady & I financially.

I have now held my cosmetology license for almost 8 years, and have been a hairdresser in 3 states.  I love what I do.  I know for me, College wasn't right.  I was smart enough.  But I was also smart enough to know that being in a program that ultimately wouldn't make me happy was wrong.  Right now my husband is in College.  We are 5 1/2 years into an 8 year program.  This is right for him.  He is happy.  He loves what he is learning.  I knew I had to support him in anything that he felt he would love doing because he had done the same for me.

Traditional College isn't for everyone.  For those who it is right for, I'm really happy for.  I'm happy that they are happy.  I just don't like the stigma that anything other than that is wrong, or is a sign that someone gave up.  Our society NEEDS trades.  I have a brother who is now a chef.  I work with 25 mechanics.  I'm going to go get a massage from a friend who is a massage therapist this week.   All of these trades have a place and are necessary.

Other than marrying Grady, I would say that going to Beauty School was the best decision I ever made.  I have supported Grady financially through school by doing hair.  It's been my creative outlet at night while he studies.  I know someday when we have kids and Grady works, I'll have a little side business doing hair.  It makes me happy to know that some critical thinking about the direction of my life in the middle of the night led me to a career that I really love. 

A few years ago I was cutting a teenage girl's hair and she expressed interest in becoming a hairdresser.  I encouraged it.  If she has a passion for something, she should follow that passion.  Her mom said (while I was cutting her hair...) "You're better than that."  Really?  She's better than finding a career that makes her happy?  Please don't become that parent.  I said, "That'll be $40 for the last hour I spent cutting her hair.  Not a bad job if you ask me."  I hope I opened her eyes...her daughter tried College to appease mom.  Beauty School was always on the back burner.  She is now enrolled at a Beauty School by her parent's house.

Please don't look down on those who choose a path different from yours.  Be happy for those who are happy doing something different.  Support your kid's passions.  Allow them to feel they can be anything they want, even if it doesn't mean going to a traditional College.  Your support may make all the difference.  I'm grateful for my parent's support despite negative commentary.  They stood up for my decision when others did not.  I am so grateful everyday for those who allow me to touch their lives for 2 hours at a time by making them feel good about themselves.  I like being a sounding board, an artist, a friend, and a day-maker.  I am grateful for all the guys and girls I have worked with who have made me a better hairdresser, a better person.  I am grateful for my boss Rose who took a chance on me.  She made me the hairdresser I am today.  I am forever indebted to her.  I am grateful for clients past, present and those who I will someday be their hairdresser.  Sharing their lives and experiences with me have made me better.  I am grateful for a husband who allowed the first part of our marriage to be about me and my career.  Putting his needs aside until the time was right.  I hope to someday be as supportive of him through the next few years as he was of me.  He is my greatest promoter and cheerleader. 

Cheers to "Trade"ing up!