Would you stay at a higher-paying job you hate or take a pay cut to get into a spa before esthetics school?
Looking for advice from estheticians or anyone who’s made a similar career change.
I’m starting an Advanced Practice Esthetics program in August and trying to figure out my next move.
For context, I have a bachelor’s degree and have been working in marketing for about 10 years. The problem is that I have absolutely hated every marketing job I’ve had. Different companies, different industries, same result. There are a lot of reasons why, but at this point I’ve accepted that it’s just not the right field for me.
Right now I have a okay-paying position that brings home about $3,600/month, but I’m counting down the days until I’m done. It’s probably one of the most toxic positions I have ever held. The worst part is everyone is profoundly aware of how horrible the culture is. School starts August 3rd and my hours will become more limited once classes begin.
I’m debating between:
Option A: Stay at my current job as long as possible and save more money before school.
Option B: Leave sooner and try to get a part-time position at a spa, med spa, waxing studio, front desk, etc. to start networking and getting my foot in the door, even if the pay is significantly lower.
I currently have about $6,700 in savings, so I’m not sitting on a huge cushion. (My plan to pay for school is to either take out a partial loan or borrow part of tuition from my husband while continuing to work while going to school to have some income)
For those already in the industry:
Is getting into a spa before graduation worth the pay cut?
Did working reception/front desk help you land your first esthetics job?
If you were starting over, would you prioritize saving money or getting industry experience/connections?
I’d love to hear what you would do in my position.