How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Academy Near Boston Massachusetts
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Boston MA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Boston residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the right choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 Become a Barber?
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 Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Boston MA home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Boston MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Boston MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Boston MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Boston MA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Boston MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available in Boston MA.
How to Train in Barbering in Boston
Enroll in the Right Boston Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize 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 contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Boston Massachusetts.