Jobs part one out of four # 5 --Jo Baker-

    I am interested in four jobs right now. But for now I'll just tell you about the first one. I am interested in doing Ink Tattoos for my career when I get older.  It does take a lot to become a Tattoo Artist. Here are some of the conditions you have to meet to become one, and what a Tattoo Artist actually does.
    Tattoo artist's give tattoos to clients by using needles and pigments. They do this by injecting the ink under a layer of skin creating the design as they go. The tattoo is permanent. Customers can come to a Tattoo Artist with a drawing or picture of what tattoo design they want. Or they can converse with the tattoo artist to come up with an idea of what they want so it's original. You can also do this if you don't really know exactly what you want. Most tattoo artist's will have a book of tattoos for their clients to look at.
    Tattoo Artists use their skills to help with every aspect of their clients tattoo. They help with size, placement, color, and design to make sure everything is perfect. After all, it is permanent. Many tattoo artist's can do many different tattoos, but often specialize in a certain kind. Every tattoo artist has a specialty. Sometimes it's coloring, shadows, sizing, or even free handing a tattoo. Every tattoo artist has their own strengths and weaknesses.
    Tattoo Artist's are responsible for keeping a good work environment. This means making sure your work space is clean and safe to give tattoos on. This means things like wearing gloves, sterilizing all work equipment and equipment used with an autoclave before and after giving tattoos. You must also disinfect your work space very thoroughly before and after giving tattoos. If you don't follow these precautions it can result in the spreading of many blood-borne viruses. Here are a few examples of the possible diseases you could spread : HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Tuberculosis.
    There are measures tattoo artist's can take to prevent spreading these diseases. You can use cross contamination processes, gloves, autoclaves, disposable needles, disposable ink cups, and overall cleanliness. Tattoos when done right, can be a very good thing. When done wrong tho they can be bad. As long as you keep everything clean and take every precaution necessary everything should be okay.
    To become a tattoo artist you have to meet a series of education requirements. Tattoo artist's get a license by completing a series of steps. First they must complete a training program, then pass an exam that shows they understand and know how to follow health and safety rules and protocols. Sometimes you will need to complete an apprenticeship under the rule and guidance of another established artist. this can sometimes take a few years. you sometimes have to have a permit to do this by filling out an application or paying a small fee. Here are some things that may or may not be required for obtaining a license : finger prints, proof of training, photograph, and personal history for a background check. A tattoo artist with a license doesn't actually have to complete formal artistic training or hold a certain degree. However making sure you leave knowing you've mastered the use of drawing and the use of inks for body art is crucial. This confirms that a tattoo artist has left with the proper skills for doing tattoos administered by a professional. Getting your license isn't based entirely on your talent, creativity, and skills. Requirements vary from state to state. But the main requirement is you have to be 18.     
    Tattoo artist's make a median salary of 31,121$ to 53,720$ per year, according to the US. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2013. In 2014 PayScale.com suggested tattoo artist's make a median salary of 31,121$ per year. But for me, money is a small percentage of why I want to do this job. I want this job because I love art. And I want to help people get the art that they want.