Barbering Schools
How to Select the Best One Near Holyoke Massachusetts
Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must enroll in the best barber college near Holyoke MA to receive your training. Because barbers are licensed in all states, the college you select should prepare you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You may be somewhat puzzled when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest in cost it's not always the best option. Accreditation and reputation, as examples are two of the other qualifications that you should look into when comparing schools. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about barbering as a career.
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Why Choose Barbering?
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 Holyoke 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 need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Holyoke MA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some 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 certain that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available 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 Holyoke 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 Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Holyoke MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Holyoke MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Holyoke MA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Holyoke MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Holyoke MA.
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Choose the Right Holyoke Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Holyoke Massachusetts.