How to Select the Right Barbering Classes Near Gloucester Massachusetts
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Gloucester MA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Gloucester residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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 Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Gloucester MA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Gloucester 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 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 considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Gloucester MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete 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 specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Gloucester MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Gloucester MA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Gloucester MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available in Gloucester MA.
How to Become a Barber in Gloucester
Enroll in the Right Gloucester Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter 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 qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Gloucester Massachusetts.