Barbering Training
How to Choose the Right One Near Ipswich Massachusetts
Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must enroll in the best barber college near Ipswich MA to receive your training. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. You may be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, which both offer barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same kind of school, there is no need to be. In the next section that will be covered in a bit more detail. You will want to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you can relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Accreditation and reputation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to look into when comparing schools. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below
Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with 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 basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, the majority of states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Ipswich MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As previously mentioned, in every state practicing barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Ipswich MA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled 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 sure that the barber school you pick 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Ipswich MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm 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 Ipswich MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Ipswich 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Ipswich MA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Ipswich MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating 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 expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Ipswich MA.
Find Out More on Training to Become a Barber in Ipswich
Enroll in the Right Ipswich Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin 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 ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Ipswich Massachusetts.