Jena, March 4, 2026. For 29-year-old Lea Rumpf, the path into the hairdressing trade was a spontaneous idea with far-reaching consequences. Instead of brooding over programming code, the former software developer in Jena now focuses on hairstyles—and gladly foregoes the classic small talk with her clientele.
- Who: Lea Rumpf (29), Master Hairdresser
- What: Career change into the trade and conscious avoidance of small talk during salon visits
- Where: Jena
From the Desk to the Hairdresser’s Chair
The professional career of Lea Rumpf is unconventional. Originally, the now 29-year-old worked in software development—a field heavily characterized by digital work and screen time. However, at some point, she realized that this path “did not fit” her. Based on a spontaneous idea, she decided on a radical cut and began an apprenticeship in the hairdressing trade in Jena.
She has since achieved the title of Master Hairdresser. A special feature of her daily work: she enjoys being silent with her customers. Instead of the often usual, incessant small talk at the hairdresser’s chair, she focuses on tranquility during the treatment.
Background: The “Silent Cut” Trend
The practice of hairdressers and customers remaining silent during a haircut is becoming a growing trend nationwide. Under the term “Silent Cut,” more and more salons are offering the option to consciously forego conversation. For many people who are heavily challenged in everyday life by work, constant availability, and noise, a visit to the hairdresser thus becomes a genuine timeout.
Furthermore, Lea Rumpf’s career path reflects a broader development in the labor market: young people from academic or highly digitized professions are increasingly taking the step into traditional trades. The desire to hold a visible, tangible result of one’s own work in one’s hands at the end of the day often becomes the focus of professional reorientation.
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Transparency Note: This article was automatically created, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.