Barbering Colleges
How to Pick the Right One Near Everett Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must find the right barber school near Everett MA to get your training. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. You might be a little puzzled when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when reviewing potential barber schools. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.
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Barbering and Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Everett MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier stated, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Everett MA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Everett MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Everett MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Everett MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Everett MA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Everett MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Everett MA.
Learn More on Learning to Become a Barber in Everett
Enroll in the Best Everett Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Everett Massachusetts.