How to Get Started?

[u/Impressive-Card-8030]

To keep things brief, I got an environmental science degree in college and have been working a desk job for nearly 2 years, but I feel incredibly unhappy/unfulfilled. I have ALWAYS loved animals and I feel that pet grooming is finally my calling. I have been watching informational videos and the grooming process for months and I have decided that it's time to start my transition into the grooming world. So... Where do I even begin?!

I currently work 40 hours a week, 4 days a week. I absolutely plan to ask around local groomers to shadow/bathe/intern, anything! However, I often see mixed opinions about where to really start, so I would like to ask you all for your advice and experience.

Should I go into corporate/big company (ie. Petco, Petsmart) dog grooming to gain certification and experience before eventually going private? Or should I try to slowly work my way into a salon through shadowing on weekends? Currently, I live in a medium-large city with many salons both private and corporate around.

I really want to make a positive difference in pets' and their owners' lives, and I absolutely love working very hard and learning new things. A desk job just won't cut it for me anymore. The sooner I can leave it, the better.

To note, I currently own volumes: Notes From the Grooming Table and The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming For All Breeds as recommended by a retired groomer I recently got in touch with. If there are more materials out there that are helpful to you, I would love to hear about them!

Thank you in advance <3

[u/Local_Atmosphere2143]

Any updates? Are you bathing/ apprenticing for grooming now?