How to Pick the Right Barbering College Near Edison New Jersey
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Edison NJ, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Edison home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Edison NJ residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Edison NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Edison NJ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to see 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, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Edison NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Edison NJ barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Edison NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 available to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Edison NJ.
How to Choose a Barber College in Edison
Choose in the Right Edison Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Edison New Jersey.