Discussion Hairdressing has always been a passion for Canadians, and me. Everyday people are getting their hair done, changing their color or style and to do this hairdressers will be there to inform, perform and advise the customer about their hair. Hairdressing is the art of cutting, setting, arranging, and otherwise caring for the hair. Women and men style their hair to improve their appearance and for comfort. A different hairstyle can alter a person's appearance more than almost any other physical change. Hairdressing can accent good features and hide bad ones, or draw attention away from undesirable characteristics. It provides attractive, easy-to-manage hairstyles that meet the needs and desires of the people who wear them. Hair is the most easily changed physical feature of the human body. Since prehistoric times, people have cut, braided, and dyed their hair and changed it in other ways as well. Professional hairdressers first became common during the 1700's. Today, most women and men depend on hairdressers for such services as cutting, coloring, straightening, and permanent waving. Hairdressers are also known as beauticians, beauty operators, cosmetologists, and hair stylists. Some other names that hairdressers use are: hair color technician, barber apprentice, hairdresser apprentice, wig stylist, hair stylist A high school student who wishes to become a hairdresser should study a broad range of subjects, including the arts, biology, and psychology. Courses in the arts help develop creativity and artistic ability. Biology courses aid in understanding the structure and growth of the hair. Knowledge of psychology helps in dealing with people. A student may attend a professional hairdressing school or serve an apprenticeship under an established hairdresser. Most European hairdressers serve an apprenticeship. In Canada, most students take a 6- or 12-month course at a licensed cosmetology school. They learn to shampoo, cut, color, style, and straighten and permanent wave hair. They also learn to give manicures, scalp and facial treatments, and advice on makeup. Many students also take courses in the treatment of disorders of the hair and scalp. After a student completes a course in hairdressing apprenticeship is the next step. Businesses all around Alberta are willing to give a hairdressing graduate a chance to use their skills. Most courses include a placement for an apprenticeship or referrals. Being a hairdresser allows you to experience new things and meet all kinds of people. You are constantly learning new things, when I was interviewing a hairdresser I found out that you attend many conferences and shows about new products and trends. Which means you will always be learning new things. Some set backs are that if your running your own salon you have a lot of work to do. Also the smells of dies and perming solutions can be very irritating if your sensitive to smells. Hairdressers can start out from $7.00 and hour. to even $17.00 an hour. Some hairdressers work on commission from each hair cut or even a salary plus commission. There is always room for advancement and hairdressers are always needed. In Alberta the outlook for hairdressing is above average than most occupations. Starting a buisness in this area is a great venture. I hope to own my own salon someday. Like any other personal service occupation, hair stylists and barbers are in growing demand as a direct result of Alberta