Barbering Training
How to Pick the Right One Near Jamaica Plain Massachusetts

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Jamaica Plain MA, the task begins to find and select the ideal one. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. You may be somewhat confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. You will want to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you plan to relocate for training. Another consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools is the cost of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example 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 talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

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Barbering and Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many 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, the majority of states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Jamaica Plain MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians

As previously stated, in every state working barbers have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barbering Schools

Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Jamaica Plain MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first 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 narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Jamaica Plain MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Jamaica Plain MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on 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 Jamaica Plain 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 Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Jamaica Plain MA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Jamaica Plain MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Jamaica Plain MA.

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Choose the Right Jamaica Plain Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Jamaica Plain Massachusetts.

 

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