(1) Learn More Than One Skin Care Line--too many students come out only learning one line. Learning one line is fine, but it doesn't teach you how to manage and adapt to other lines and types of treatments. If an employer is looking for a new esthetics' employee they are more likely to the hire the esthetician with knowledge of more than one skin care line. They perceive that esthetician to be more knowledgeable.
(2) Importance of Infection Control-This one is extremely important! Every esthetician should be taught more than book knowledge of infection control, it should be a daily task at school that every student engage in proper infection control and demonstrate competency. Bad habits will carry on in the workplace; a good esthetics instructor will make sure every student leaves with good infection control & hygiene habits.
(3) Liability Insurance-Every esthetician needs liability insurance, period. Don't trust your employers to cover you. Sure, they might tell you that you are covered, but if you are named in a lawsuit and your employer failed to paid their premium you are stuck paying all the fees associated with the lawsuit. Can you afford to defend yourself even if you aren't at fault? Schools do not talk a lot about this, but they need to have this conversation and present students with the resources to find liability insurance.
(4) Brazilian Waxing-Many schools don't teach this type of waxing because of liability purposes, but it is unfortunate because there is a lot of money to be made in BW.
(5) Professionalism-There are a lot of schools that teach the fundamentals about esthetics, but forget that many students have never had a job previous to esthetics school. How should you conduct yourself at the spa?
(6) Splits/Commissions-This is a HUGE ONE! Schools should spell out in easy to understand terms how spas operate and how the splits work. It would be helpful for them to give students an idea of what types of employment practices are normal in terms of pay rate. Also, how to negotiate your rate.
(7) Customer Service-It is important that students understand where their money comes from, it is not just the spa owner, but the customer. If the customer never comes back that is money LOST! Instructors need to demonstrate to students mock scenarios where students can see how to treat and NOT treat customers.
(8) Resume Writing-Everyone should leave esthetics school with a resume in hand--it actually should be an assignment before you graduate. Many students have never written a resume, and then other students are career changers and they find it difficult to reconstruct their resumes. Schools should bring in their career counselor and help with this task.
(9) Internships-This one is a pet peeve of mine! All the money esthetician students put into school and most schools won't find them an internship. I think it should be a requirement that every student do a internship the last semester of school at a REAL SPA. Esthetics school is completely different than real world esthetics, and it would behoove every student to gain this valuable experience. Many spas would welcome the free labor!
(10) Career Fair- Schools absolutely should organize a career fair once a year and invite all their current students, and former students to network with area spas.
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