How to Enroll In the Best Barber College Near Lyndhurst New Jersey
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Lyndhurst NJ, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the contrast 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 type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lyndhurst residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lyndhurst NJ residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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 can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Lyndhurst NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some 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 favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Lyndhurst NJ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Lyndhurst NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Lyndhurst NJ barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lyndhurst NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Lyndhurst NJ.
How to Train in Barbering in Lyndhurst
Enroll in the Right Lyndhurst Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require 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 use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Lyndhurst New Jersey.