How to Choose the Best Barber School Near Stamford Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Stamford CT, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Stamford residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 Choose Barbering?
The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Stamford CT home, in addition to 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Stamford CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Stamford CT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 open a barber shop in Stamford CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided 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 volunteers. If a Stamford CT barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Stamford CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Stamford CT.
How to Choose a Barber College in Stamford
Choose in the Best Stamford Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is important to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate 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 contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Stamford Connecticut.