Barbering Training Courses
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Methuen Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in barbering, you must enroll in the right barber college near Methuen MA to receive your training. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the college you select should prepare you to pass the licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. You will want to find a school that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you can relocate for training. An additional consideration when examining prospective barber schools is the price of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Accreditation and reputation, for example are two of the other qualifications that you should evaluate when weighing your school options. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about barbering as a career.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below

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 Methuen 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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Methuen MA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Methuen MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Methuen MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some beauty 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 example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Methuen MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Methuen MA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Methuen MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, 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 Aid Offered?  Most 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. Talk to 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in Methuen MA.

Find Out More on How to Become a Barber in Methuen

Enroll in the Best Methuen Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided 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 exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Methuen Massachusetts.

 

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