Lawri Williamson

I'm working toward my cosmetology license because:

1. Simply being good at what I do is no longer enough for me. I want a career that will bring me joy. 

2. I enjoy building meaningful relationships, and that is becoming increasingly difficult to do in a corporate setting. There is too much focus on role-playing and not enough on quality, strategy, customer experience, or true team-building. Cosmetology offers the best of all possible worlds: continuous learning and growth as an individual, the ability to build long-lasting relationships with clients and coworkers, and endless creativity.

I enjoy getting to know my coworkers and developing real friendships with them.
That's how you become a team, and how a job becomes more than a source of income.

3. I thrive in a role that requires my hyper-attention to detail. I'm never happy with "good enough," and I think being a hairstylist will allow me to indulge this love in a setting where it will be appreciated.

4. AI is gunning for my former profession, and I'm not interested in having to continuously prove I'm better at my job than a computer. I'm non-competitive by nature. The only person (or entity) I want to compete against is myself.    

I don't know where my cosmetology license will ultimately take me, and that's part of the appeal. I'm excited that there are so many possibilities. Once I graduate and get my license, though, I hope to work as an assistant stylist alongside a team of talented, experienced pros from whom I can continue to learn. I anticipate spending the next several years focused on accumulating knowledge and polishing my skills. 

I'm in no great hurry to fulfill any lofty goals. My plan is to relish every moment of this ride.