How to Choose the Right Barbering Course Near Watertown Connecticut
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Watertown CT, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Watertown home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Watertown CT home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Watertown CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Watertown CT barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult 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 comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Watertown CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Watertown CT barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Watertown CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be available in Watertown CT.
How to Become a Barber in Watertown
Enroll in the Best Watertown Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Watertown Connecticut.