How to Choose the Best Barber School Near New Britain Connecticut
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near New Britain CT, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your New Britain residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your New Britain CT home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably 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 choices 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 compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in New Britain CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers 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? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with New Britain CT 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 propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many 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 often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in New Britain CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a New Britain CT barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which New Britain CT area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in New Britain CT.
How to Choose a Barber School in New Britain
Choose in the Right New Britain Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once 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 New Britain Connecticut.