Barbering Training Classes
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Lexington Massachusetts
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Lexington MA, the process starts to search for and select the right one. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. You might be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both offer barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same type of school, there is no need to be. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest in cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below
Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, most states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Lexington MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide range of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in every state working barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lexington MA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lexington MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lexington MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact 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 Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Lexington 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 poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. 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 enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Lexington MA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Lexington MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available in Lexington MA.
Get More Info on How to Become a Barber in Lexington
Enroll in the Right Lexington Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Lexington Massachusetts.