Transition Times: Trying out a career helps you discover if it's right for you. This week: beauty therapy

Beauty has become the holy grail of our time. People believe that it will make them happy and popular, so they starve themselves, have surgery and spend huge amounts of money to achieve it. The success of programmes such as The Swan and Extreme Makeover show the lengths people go to in a world where inner beauty just isn't enough.

For most of us, however, the beauty industry is more about a bit of pampering and maintenance. The less extreme measures of beauty therapy, relaxation and spa treatments have taken off spectacularly. Stressed and unable to take proper care of themselves during the week, men and women pop to a spa or salon at the weekend, to try to undo some of the damage their lifestyles have done.

Bronwyn Conroy, of Bronwyn Conroy Beauty School & Salon, believes one of main attractions of doing a beauty course is the range of options you have when you graduate. "The exams we have are internationally recognised," she says. "You have the opportunity to travel - many of our graduates work on cruise ships for a couple of years. And then, of course, you can open up your own business." A beauty salon is a good option for first-time entrepreneurs, as, according to Conroy, start-up costs are relatively low.

Ireland has a good reputation for beauty training, and opportunities are good after an initial one-year course. Conroy says: "You can go on and do further training in alternative therapies or electrolysis."

The surge in business is relatively new. "Years ago, beauty therapy wasn't really something that people did," says Conroy. "Now it has completely turned around, to the extent that salons can't get enough therapists to work for them."

Unfortunately for transition-year students who are interested in the beauty industry, salons can offer little in the way of meaningful work experience. Conroy says that the confidential nature of the business means opportunities are limited. "Students would probably end up with jobs like cutting cotton wool. There isn't much for them to do without proper training."

Some beauty schools may take students in for a day, to allow them to see what's involved in training.

As for subjects, "it's a good idea to have done biology or home economics for your Leaving Cert," says Conroy. "But I think the most important thing is to have the right nature for it. A client should have confidence in you. You need to be pleasant and chatty, but you shouldn't be wittering away while a client is trying to relax.

"Once somebody has a kind nature and they are sensitive to other people's feelings, they should do well."

You can find out more about beauty courses and qualifications from www.ibpa.ie.