Need a Career Change? Barbering Worked for This Navy Man
Pursuing a rewarding career is a long journey that often takes many steps. Very rarely does a person enter the workforce and immediately land a dream job that aligns with their passions and interests. Instead, most people embark on career changes in search of a role that perfectly reflects their ambitions and desires.
Bellus Academy is pleased to accommodate motivated adult learners seeking to make a career change with a Barbering program and other beauty school programs. Our accredited cosmetology school has helped numerous individuals find their calling as beauty professionals, including Christopher (Chris) Rodriguez, an alumni of the Poway, CA, campus who also served in the Navy. Learn more about Rodriguez’s story and the advantages of choosing Bellus Academy for professional beauty instruction.
Meet Christopher Rodriguez

Rodriguez served in the U.S. Navy between 2009 and 2016 as a member of the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees. Like every military veteran reentering civilian life, Rodriguez needed to decide how the next chapter of his life would unfold and what path to pursue.
Rodriguez, a Texas native, relocated to California upon returning stateside and found a new passion — barbering. With an established interest in the beauty world, Rodriguez enjoyed learning the craft and history of barbering and working with his own hair as he let it grow after leaving the Navy. He received his barber license in 2018 and began embracing the barber lifestyle as he fell in love with the craft.
Coming from a very disciplined background in the Navy, Rodriguez appreciated the artistry and individualism of barbering and the opportunity to be his own boss and set his own schedule.
“The artistry and individualism make barbering very different from my work in the Navy,” Rodriguez said. “In the military, everything is about discipline and process. As a barber, I found a way to be my own boss and make my own schedule. I loved living the barber lifestyle and being free to do my own thing and have my own style. Nobody was telling me to shave anymore! And I was enjoying this creative freedom and flexibility while making a good living in California.”
Rodriguez wanted to open a barber shop that offered services beyond traditional hair and beard treatments.
After being introduced to esthetics services and the benefits they could provide potential clients, Rodriguez became interested in learning these skills to complement his barber skills. So, he enrolled in the Esthetics program at Bellus Academy to continue his beauty education.
“I chose Bellus Academy because of its good reviews and the professional environment. There is a lot more involved in providing esthetics than I expected. For example, I really like learning how to use the machines, technologies, and tools we use to perform facials on clients – or how different acids or other ingredients work to treat skin conditions.”
Rodriguez was able to put his classroom teaching into practice by gaining confidence in Bellus Academy’s supervised Student Salon and Spa.
How Bellus Academy Can Help With a Career Change
At Bellus Academy, we offer beauty programs taught by award-winning instructors who have extensive industry knowledge and a passion for instructing the next wave of beauty professionals. Students have the opportunity to learn using professional industry equipment in nurturing learning environments.
In addition to educating students on technical skills, Bellus Academy offers courses regarding other aspects of the beauty industry, such as marketing and budgeting. These business-centric beauty courses provide students with a well-rounded education, keeping Bellus Academy the standard for cosmetology education.
Completing a beauty program at Bellus Academy helps motivated people seeking new careers become qualified for creative jobs in the beauty industry with great job security and mobility in a relatively short time. Depending on the area of specialization and campus, we offer hybrid and in-person learning opportunities to accommodate the busy lives of our students.
Signs It’s Time for a Career Change
Leaving a steady job and making a career change can be a difficult decision. Very often there are signs indicating a move is the best option, such as:
No Longer Happy or Satisfied
Job satisfaction has a profound impact on quality of life. People who are unhappy with their careers may carry that over into their personal lives, impacting relationships, personal interests, and more. Several considerations could result in unhappiness at work, including pressure to perform, long hours, and an unhealthy culture. People who are unhappy in their work environment to the point it is affecting their personal lives may want to consider making a career move.
New Passions
As we grow through life, our interests and passions commonly change. For many people, what they were passionate about when they first entered the workforce no longer remains true. Individuals who feel stuck in a role that doesn’t fulfill their passions often experience feelings of dissatisfaction and may want to consider changing careers to pursue a more suitable role.
Seeking a Better Balance
Some jobs require people to devote much of their time to their profession, leaving little time to spend on other aspects of life. Depending on a person’s situation, they may wish to dedicate more time to family and friends or increase their time doing the things they love. A career change can be the right move for anyone seeking a profession that allows them to design their own schedule and achieve more flexibility.
Ready for a New Challenge
Even those who are content in their roles may wish to seek a new career if their current one becomes too routine. Many motivated individuals got to where they are in their careers by pushing themselves and not being complacent. Seeking a new challenge in the form of a career change can be exactly what someone needs to feel satisfied and accomplished.
Begin Your Pursuit of a New Career at Bellus Academy
Are you unhappy or unsatisfied in your current role and believe it is time for a career change? Bellus Academy offers quality beauty education at our campuses in Poway, Chula Vista, and El Cajon, CA, as well as Manhattan, KS. After receiving their certificate diploma and license, students are prepared to pursue rewarding careers that align with their passions and interests in beauty.
Bellus Academy is an accredited cosmetology school, meaning we can provide financial aid to eligible students who need assistance. Additionally, we offer student equipment kits to ensure students are fully prepared for their education. Contact us today to get info now about the potential career moves that await you when you apply.