Barbering Colleges
How to Choose the Right One Near Springfield Massachusetts

Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Springfield MA, the process starts to search for and choose the ideal one. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. You might be somewhat confused when starting your search for barbering programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing possible barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Springfield 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 Barber Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Springfield MA residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Springfield MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding 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, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Springfield MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Springfield MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Springfield MA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Springfield MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide 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. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Springfield MA.

Find Out More on How to Become a Barber in Springfield

Enroll in the Right Springfield Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Springfield Massachusetts.

 

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