FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National collaboration helps school counselors discover modern beauty careers through new resources, industry partnerships, and workforce awareness.
July 2026 — As millions of students explore career options each year, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and Beauty Cast Network are returning to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Annual Conference, July 11–13 in New Orleans, with the fourth annual Pathway to Beauty Careers: Building Awareness, Opportunity & Workforce Readiness initiative.
Designed to help school counselors better understand today’s professional beauty industry, Pathway to Beauty Careers connects counselors with career information, educational pathways, workforce trends, and industry leaders. The initiative is helping position beauty as a respected, first-choice career option for students nationwide.
A highlight of this year’s initiative is the release of the Pathway to Beauty Counselor Guide, published by the Professional Beauty Association in collaboration with Beauty Cast Network. Developed specifically for school counselors, the guide provides current information on beauty education, licensure, career pathways, workforce demand, earning potential, and the diverse opportunities available throughout the professional beauty industry.
“School counselors help shape the future by introducing students to meaningful career opportunities,” said Leslie Perry, Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Association. “Through Pathway to Beauty Careers, we’re providing counselors with trusted resources that showcase the creativity, entrepreneurship, and long-term career potential our industry offers.”
Penny Burns, Founder of Beauty Cast Network, added, “When counselors better understand our industry, they can help more students discover careers that are creative, rewarding, and life-changing. Together, we’re building awareness today to strengthen tomorrow’s workforce.”
The initiative is supported by a growing coalition of beauty schools, employers, publishers, associations, and industry leaders working together to inspire the next generation of licensed beauty professionals.
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About the Professional Beauty Association (PBA)
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is the national trade organization representing licensed professionals, salon and spa owners, independent stylists, students, distributors, and manufacturers across the beauty industry. As the leading Membership organization serving the professional beauty community, PBA keeps professional beauty professional, championing policies that protect the industry, providing trusted education and resources, and fostering a community built on connection, creativity, and growth. PBA is home to the PBA North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), PBA Beacon Student Program, and PBA Executive Summit, and supports beauty professionals in times of crisis through the PBA Disaster Relief Fund and other charitable programs. Through PBA Future Leaders, PBA develops and supports the next generation of industry leaders. Learn more at probeauty.org.
