Barbering Classes
How to Select the Best One Near Burlington Massachusetts

Now that you have decided to become a barber, you must find the right barber school near Burlington MA to receive your training. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the school you select should prepare you to pass the licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. You may be somewhat confused when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk 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 Burlington 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 Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Burlington MA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically 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 final benefit, a number of Burlington MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying 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 Burlington MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult 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 Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Burlington MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Burlington MA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Burlington MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered in Burlington MA.

Learn More on Becoming a Barber in Burlington

Enroll in the Right Burlington Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Burlington Massachusetts.

 

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