How to Choose the Right Barber Academy Near East Hartford Connecticut
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near East Hartford CT, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your East Hartford home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your East Hartford CT home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in East Hartford CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with East Hartford CT barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, 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 last, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in East Hartford CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a East Hartford CT barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which East Hartford CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded 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. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be offered in East Hartford CT.
How to Train to Be a Barber in East Hartford
Choose in the Best East Hartford Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer 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 begin your career as a professional barber in East Hartford Connecticut.