How to Select the Right Barber College Near Saugus Massachusetts
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Saugus MA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Saugus home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 Choose Barbering?
The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Saugus MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Saugus MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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 sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Saugus 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 propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Saugus MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check 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 developing talents on volunteers. If a Saugus MA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So 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 school, it's essential that he or she gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Saugus MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in Saugus MA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Saugus
Choose in the Best Saugus Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, 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 test, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Saugus Massachusetts.