How to Choose the Best Barber School Near Meriden Connecticut
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Meriden CT, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Meriden residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Meriden CT residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
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 certified 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Meriden CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Meriden CT barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Meriden CT, then you want 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 deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Meriden CT barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Meriden CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be provided in Meriden CT.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Meriden
Enroll in the Best Meriden Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to get the necessary 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. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Meriden Connecticut.