Many turning to beauty school for career change

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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Kathy Cringle, 43, worked as an administrator for 15 years.

MANATEE COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A large number of layoffs are forcing people to rethink their careers.

In some cases many are going back to school for a different field.

One of the popular choices these days are beauty and barber schools.

At 43 years old, Kathy Cringle is back at school. She's learning how to cut hair.

"It's been a wonderful experience," said Cringle, a student at Bradenton Beauty and Barber Academy. "I love it."

Cringle worked as an administrator for 15 years.

She joins several other classmates working on their second and third careers, like 34-year-old Maria Gonzalez.

"I was a receptionist," she said. "But right now with everything slowing down and being laid off, all the companies you know not hiring at this time, so I decided to start coming to school here."

More Information

The Florida Association of Beauty Professionals reports that beauty schools throughout the state are seeing a 5 to 15 percent increase in students.

Bradenton Beauty and Barber Academy Director Liz Galdamez says they are busier than ever.

"There's always a need for it," she said. "It's something that's not going to be replaced by technology. It's a field that everybody utilizes."

"It's more of a career change as opposed to someone getting out of high school or someone who is maybe in their early 20's," Galdamez said. "We're seeing more people in their early 30's and 40's coming into this industry."

Cringle says her new career choice makes her optimistic about the future.

"Just to be my own boss, make up my own hours, be more independent," she said.

Bradenton Beauty & Barber Academy is located at 5505 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton. For more information call
(941) 761-4400 or visit their website.