Patricia Gebert is a vocational program instructor of cosmetology.

What do you enjoy about teaching cosmetics?

It is exciting to develop a talent that students do not know they have. Students who attend this class already know what they want to do, like coloring hair and make-up. Students have to spend eleven hundred hours with me in order to graduate.

What will happen if you retire?

Nothing will happen because I have plenty of replacements. Plus, I won’t retire any time soon because I would just die of boredom.

What special events do you and the class do?

We do career fairs, fashion shows, Easter sales and give discounts to all seniors. If students want to come into Room TA 152 they can receive a complimentary manicure. It is open between 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

What are your future hopes for the cosmetic class?

I want the cosmetic class to grow and someday have a facial class and body lab for more facial and body treatments.

What are your experiences in the field?

I have worked in the industry for nineteen years. I worked in the House of Joseph in Torrance for seventeen years, by Gable House. I also taught at Santa Monica part time. I started in the seventies and it is just as exciting now as it was back then.

Are you politically active in this industry?

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tries to cut the board and funding. Before, it took nine months to take the license test, and now, after fighting it, it is down to two months. I flew to Sacramento with my own money and fought this. I was successful in getting cosmetology reinstated. My new battle is to get the license reinstated.

Do you and your cosmetic class do any fundraising?

We have a cut-a-thon once a year that goes to City of Hope, which helps out cancer patients. I have cut hair for free for battered people who just got out of relationships that were violent.

Are there any dislikes about the cosmetic career?

There are no dislikes about this career, but it is a physical field. It is not really a dislike, but we are always up and moving about all day.