How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Training Near Hawthorne New Jersey
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Hawthorne NJ, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Hawthorne home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Hawthorne NJ home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Hawthorne 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 businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Hawthorne NJ 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 propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Hawthorne NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Hawthorne NJ barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Hawthorne NJ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial help may be offered in Hawthorne NJ.
How to Choose a Barber College in Hawthorne
Enroll in the Best Hawthorne Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, 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 ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Hawthorne New Jersey.