Barbering Schools
How to Find the Right One Near Quincy Massachusetts
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Quincy MA, the process begins to locate and select the best one. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the school you choose should prep you to pass the licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Another consideration when examining prospective barbering schools is the price of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about barbering as a career.
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Why Become a Barber?
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 Quincy 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 Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Quincy MA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you choose 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Quincy MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Quincy MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Quincy MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Quincy MA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Quincy MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Quincy MA.
Find Out More on Training to Become a Barber in Quincy
Enroll in the Right Quincy Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ 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 exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Quincy Massachusetts.