Barbering Schools
How to Find the Best One Near Franklin Massachusetts
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Franklin MA, the process begins to search for and select the right one. Because barbers are licensed in all states, the school you select should prep you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. You may be somewhat confused when starting your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you are willing to relocate for training. Another qualification when examining prospective barbering schools is the cost of tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Accreditation and reputation, for example are two of the other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 Franklin 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.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list 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 Franklin MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental 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 school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Franklin MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Franklin MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Franklin MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Franklin MA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Franklin MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Franklin MA.
Learn More on Learning to Become a Barber in Franklin
Enroll in the Right Franklin Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect 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 compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, 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 examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Franklin Massachusetts.