Barbering Schools
How to Find the Right One Near Beverly Massachusetts
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Beverly MA, the process begins to search for and select the best one. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. You may be a little puzzled when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both provide barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, there is no need to be. We'll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming section. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you can relocate for training. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below
Barbering and Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, the majority of states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Beverly MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As already stated, in all states practicing barbers must be licensed. In some states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Beverly MA residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Beverly MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Beverly MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Beverly MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Beverly MA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Beverly MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Beverly MA.
Get More Info on Becoming a Barber in Beverly
Choose the Right Beverly Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Beverly Massachusetts.