Barbering Training
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Andover Massachusetts
Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in barbering, you must enroll in the best barber college near Andover MA to receive your training. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the college you select should prepare you to pass the licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. You might be a little confused when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, which both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about barbering as a career.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below
Why Become a Barber?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any Andover MA barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Andover MA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Andover MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Andover MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Andover MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Andover MA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Andover MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be provided in Andover MA.
Get More Info on How to Become a Barber in Andover
Enroll in the Best Andover Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Andover Massachusetts.