Students at Neuqua Valley High School have the opportunity to take classes at the Technology Center of DuPage their junior or senior year. One of the courses available is the Cosmetology School. In this program, students will learn the skills necessary to be an esthetician, cosmetologist, or various other personal care related professions through demonstrations and practice, while receiving college credit. An understanding and appreciation of fashion, technical design, art, as well as people and communication skills are all qualities a cosmetology student should possess. Professional skills and techniques in nail technology, perms, cutting, coloring, style choice and advice for clients will be taught at the Cosmetology School.
Aspiring cosmetologists will need to clock 1,500 work hours over the two-year course and pass an exam. These are requirements to receive a certificate from the Technology Center of DuPage and to qualify for a state license in the practice of one of the many areas of cosmetology. Students achieve the hours between 6:45 and 11:15 AM, which is the time Neuqua students are at the TCD campus in Addison, Illinois. Those enrolled in the Cosmetology School may also have to attend school on Saturdays at another campus in order to meet the requirements of the program. The Cosmetology School is not just a ‘blow off’ class. The course deals with technical elements such as geometry, chemistry, and anatomy, as well as creative styling methods. With the media and society putting more and more emphasis on personal appearance, jobs under the umbrella of cosmetology are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations in the upcoming years.
Neuqua Valley High School Senior and Technology Center of DuPage student Donia Mustafa said, “[Technology Center of DuPage] is a really good opportunity. I wish I knew about it my junior year. The counselors don’t tell the students a lot about TCD.” Taking classes at the Technology Center of DuPage is not only a good opportunity but is a good investment as well. Enrolling in any course at TCD can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. “[Classes] are so much more expensive to take elsewhere,” said Adams, a Sophomore Guidance Counselor, “TCD classes are really great. Not many students, especially sophomores, know about the courses at TCD. On November 13th, there is a field trip available for sophomores and juniors to the Technology Center of DuPage for any of the programs. See a counselor for information.”
The Cosmetology School at the Technology Center of DuPage is a great way to fast track a career in personal appearance and care. The skills and techniques learned in the course will give ambitious students a taste for what life on the job is like and a step in the right direction for a career in cosmetology.
By Allyssa Pollard, staff writer
