How to Select the Best Barbering School Near New Canaan Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near New Canaan CT, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your New Canaan residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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?
A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your New Canaan CT home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in New Canaan 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, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. 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. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with New Canaan CT barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in New Canaan CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves 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 enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a New Canaan CT barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which New Canaan CT area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in New Canaan CT.
How to Train in Barbering in New Canaan
Choose in the Best New Canaan Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent 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 proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in New Canaan Connecticut.