How to Select the Right Barbering Course Near Waterford Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Waterford CT, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Waterford home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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 Choose Barbering?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a list 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 Waterford CT home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Waterford 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 businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Waterford CT barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Waterford CT, then you need 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 Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Waterford CT barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Waterford CT area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer 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 learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Waterford CT.
How to Train in Barbering in Waterford
Choose in the Right Waterford Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Waterford Connecticut.