How to Choose the Right Barber Course Near Newton Massachusetts
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Newton MA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Newton residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as 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 little 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 Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Newton MA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Newton MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several 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 favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Newton MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Massachusetts 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 Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Newton MA, then you need 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 require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Newton MA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Newton MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of 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. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Newton MA.
How to Train in Barbering in Newton
Enroll in the Right Newton Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information 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 impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Newton Massachusetts.