How to Choose the Right Barbering Academy Near Hillside New Jersey
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Hillside NJ, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, 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 names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about 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 Hillside home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Hillside NJ residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Hillside NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying 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 Hillside NJ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 open a barber shop in Hillside NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Hillside NJ barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Hillside NJ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be offered in Hillside NJ.
How to Choose a Barber College in Hillside
Choose in the Right Hillside Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to organize 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 contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Hillside New Jersey.