How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Waterbury Connecticut

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Waterbury CT, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Waterbury residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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 Barbering Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Waterbury CT residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you enroll in 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Waterbury CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several 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 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 businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Waterbury CT barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Waterbury CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Waterbury CT barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Waterbury CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer 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 identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Waterbury CT.

How to Become a Barber in Waterbury

Enroll in the Best Waterbury Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. 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, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, 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 confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Waterbury Connecticut.

Waterbury Barbering Colleges | Waterbury Schools For Barbering