Barbering Schools
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Holyoke Massachusetts
Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must find the right barber school near Holyoke MA to receive your training. It's essential that the program you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. You may be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are two of the other qualifications that you should look into when weighing your school options. We will review what questions you should ask about 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 types of programs are offered.
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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Holyoke MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 every state working barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Holyoke MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Holyoke MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Holyoke MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 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 start a barber shop in Holyoke MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Holyoke MA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Holyoke MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Holyoke MA.
Learn More on Becoming a Barber in Holyoke
Choose the Best Holyoke Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, 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 right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Holyoke Massachusetts.