How to Find the Best Barbering Training Program Near Norwich Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Norwich CT, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled 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 kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Norwich residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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 local 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 Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Norwich CT residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. 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 certain that the barber school you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Norwich CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school 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 testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Norwich CT barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Norwich CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Norwich CT barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Norwich CT area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Norwich CT.
How to Choose a Barber School in Norwich
Enroll in the Right Norwich Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Norwich Connecticut.