How to Pick the Best Barbering Course Near Newark New Jersey
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Newark NJ, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the difference 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 bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Newark home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Newark NJ home, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Newark NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Newark NJ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Newark 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask 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 make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Newark NJ barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Newark NJ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available in Newark NJ.
How to Train in Barbering in Newark
Enroll in the Best Newark Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to obtain 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. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding 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 ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Newark New Jersey.