By Tammi Williamson
Texarkana College’s Cosmetology Department has served about 65,000 patrons since it opened in 1980, said Bill Johnson, the program’s instructor.
He credited a variety of quality services at low prices or the large number of patrons. The program also benefits from a great deal of word of mouth publicity, especially among senior citizens, who make up the largest percentage of their patrons.
“I always compare our program to a general hospital,” Johnson said. “We both serve many different kinds of patrons. That’s how we learn. The interns in a hospital work for free same as these students,” he said.
Because of limited space, only 25 students are allowed in each class at about $130 tuition each quarter. The waiting list to get in the program usually has 75 names on it.
“There’s a lot of job security in this field and more people are becoming aware of the creative career opportunities available in cosmetology,” Johnson said.
He estimated TC has graduated 140 students of whom have found success in the Texarkana area.
“One of the major franchise salons in town is managed by one of our graduates and three or four of the operators are also from here,” he said.
Johnson calls the program the “busiest cosmetology school in the four states area” because the students get more practical application than schools that emphasize theory. TC students also travel to hair shows to keep up on style trends.
Johnson said that no matter what specialty the students chose, they have to master the basics first.
“We teach a good basic cosmetology background. Each student is allowed and encouraged to be creative in his work. Some want to specialize in only a few services like perms and cuts or only work with a certain age group,” he said.
In increasing numbers, men are entering this field. One reason may be that cosmetology is becoming more acceptable as a profession for both men and women and it’s being recognized as a creative career. Also, since barber and beauty shops offer many of the same services, men are beginning to take advantage of the opportunity to learn to style hair for both men and women.”
“I used to have about one male student in my program a year,” Johnson said, “now I have five.”
In fact, one of Johnson’s “most creative” students is Arthur Hurrington from Houston, Tx.
“I’ve wanted to be a hairdresser for a long time. I have an idea of how I want a woman to look and I can help create that look by doing hair,” Hurrington said.
He was on the waiting list nine and a half months and chose TC because he’d heard the program was good. “I’d heard Bill was a good instructor, who would take time to work with me,” he said.
One of the most important things Hurrington said he has learned is to not be afraid to make mistakes.
“You can’t be afraid of the hair or to mess up. Mistakes are a part of learning. The trick is to take the time to get to know each customer as an individual and work to satisfy his or her needs,” he said.
Teresa Whitney of Hooks, Tx., another cosmetology student, said her career choice will be working with customers in her age group.
“The most difficult part of the program for me,” she said, “has been learning everything in time. You have to work hard and be patient.”
Hurrington, whose mother is a beautician, said he would like to own a salon and employ six or seven operators.
“I want to be able to sit back and oversee the business,” he said, “but also help on the floor when needed.”
Another student, Willie Jean Johnson of Texarkana, chose cosmetology for a similar reason.
She wanted to be her own boss.
“After years of working for someone else, getting up before daylight and having someone look over my shoulder, I got tired of it and decided to make a career change,” she said.
In 1973, when she first entered TC, Johnson had to postpone her college education to raise her children. Today, both Johnson and her daughter Nicole are TC students.
Johnson plans to graduate in February, 1988, and is looking forward to opening a shop in her home.
For now, Hurrington, Whitney and Johnson will have to put their dreams of being licensed operators on hold until they complete the 1,500 clock hours necessary for graduation and pass the state board examination.