How to Choose the Right Barber Training Near Westport Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Westport CT, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning 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 Westport residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Westport CT residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some 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 enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Westport CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous 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? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Westport CT barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, 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 considered. Finally, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand 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 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 start a barber shop in Westport CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Westport CT barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Westport CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be offered in Westport CT.
How to Choose a Barber School in Westport
Enroll in the Right Westport Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the appropriate 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. Don't forget to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Westport Connecticut.