Barbering Classes
How to Pick the Right One Near Somerville Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must find the best barber school near Somerville MA to receive your training. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the college you choose should prep you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You might be a little confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both provide barber training. Because the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan 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 factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Reputation and accreditation, for example are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when comparing schools. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course 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 actually a cosmetic can be almost 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 take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Somerville MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names 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 already mentioned, in all states practicing barbers must be licensed. In some states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Somerville MA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed 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 college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Somerville MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Somerville 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 considered. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Somerville MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Somerville MA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Somerville MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Somerville MA.
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Enroll in the Right Somerville Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Somerville Massachusetts.