A day in the life of a hairdresser

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A day in the life of a hairdresser, Pat Charalambous

Read the article on the next slide, and then do the exercises 

A day in the life of a hairdresser, Pat Charalambous  Nov 28, 2024 - The Careers Company

I always wanted to be a hairdresser. How my journey all started was that I began working at age 12 in a salon as a Saturday girl. Later I went on to do my Apprenticeship in the salon which was based in Mile End. The Apprenticeship covered everything relating to hair. I used to go to college once a week and there were additional training days. I liked to do my own thing anyway when it came to hair styles. I used to just watch and go home and practice so I could become better at it.

A typical day in my life is hectic! I’ll get up, have my coffee. Come to work and do a full day in the salon. Today for example I started at work about 9.30 and I’ll work until 6pm. On a Friday I finish at 7pm. I might go home for a little while, but I usually go to the gym after work. Gym is both my social time and my down time. Then I’ll go home. Have dinner. Sometimes I’ll go and visit my mum who’s elderly. So a typical day is full on. I own and run the business, but on a Saturday what I do now is because I’ve got staff in I’ll come in a bit later on a Saturday at 11am. On a Saturday morning I’ll go to the gym before work. I’ve learned and told myself to give myself Saturday mornings off work, otherwise there’s no point having your own business. Running your own business is hard. It’s tiring. But it’s fine. I don't know any different, and I couldn’t work for anyone else. There’s no alternative for me.

My personal definition of career success is that I’ve been going for 35 years, if not longer, and I’ve kept going and I’ve seen other salons come and go, but I’m still here. And I’ve had the same staff most of those years. People tell me that’s a success and I suppose it is. But it’s just what I do. I’m a worker. People might assume that because I’m the boss I can just stroll in and out, but it doesn’t work like that. You’ve got to be here and you’ve got to put the work in. Although as I said over the years I’ve learned to take a bit of time out sometimes. There’s never going to be a point where I’m earning loads of money. The overheads are getting ridiculous. But I own my own business. I answer to myself. Not anybody else. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

A place where hairdressers work.

Employees working under a business owner.

A period of training under a skilled professional.

Expenses required to operate a business.

Very busy and full of activity.

apprenticeship

overheads

hectic

salon

staff

Read each statement and decide if it is True or False based on the text.

Pat started working in a salon at the age of 18.

1. True
2. False

She prefers working for others rather than owning her business.

1. True
2. False

Pat considers going to the gym as both social and personal time.

1. True
2. False

She uses social media extensively to attract new clients.

1. True
2. False

Pat believes that owning a business means she can be absent frequently.

1. True
2. False

Answer the following questions based on the article:

1. At what age did Pat start working in a salon?

2. What does Pat do after work for relaxation?

3. Why does she arrive later at the salon on Saturdays?

4. How does Pat define her career success?

Answer the following opinion questions.
Write in full sentences, pay attention to spelling and punctuation!

What factors are most important to you when choosing a career?

Pat owns and runs her own salon. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning your own business?

Would you prefer to be self-employed or work for someone else? Explain your reasoning.