How to Pick the Best Barber Academy Near Westport Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Westport CT, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Westport home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as 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 talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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 Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Westport CT residence, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered 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 final benefit, numerous 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 Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Westport CT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 intention 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Westport CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Westport CT barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Westport CT area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out 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 Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak 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 accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Westport CT.
How to Become a Barber in Westport
Choose in the Right Westport Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain 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 contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Westport Connecticut.