How to Choose the Right Barbering Training Program Near Hillsborough New Jersey
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Hillsborough NJ, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps 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 names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Hillsborough residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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 Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Hillsborough NJ residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Hillsborough NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Hillsborough NJ 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 New Jersey 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 Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Hillsborough NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Hillsborough NJ barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Hillsborough NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered in Hillsborough NJ.
How to Choose a Barber School in Hillsborough
Enroll in the Best Hillsborough Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. 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 Hillsborough New Jersey.