How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Classes Near Waltham Massachusetts
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Waltham MA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary 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 essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Waltham home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Waltham MA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Waltham MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ 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 school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers 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 companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Waltham MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact 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 expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Waltham MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Waltham MA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Waltham MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered in Waltham MA.
How to Become a Barber in Waltham
Enroll in the Right Waltham Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, 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 right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Waltham Massachusetts.