How to Select the Best Barbering Academy Near Paramus New Jersey
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Paramus NJ, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled 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 discuss a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Paramus home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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 Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Paramus NJ residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Paramus NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Paramus NJ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. 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 filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating 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 important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 start a barber shop in Paramus 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 poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Paramus NJ barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Paramus NJ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be offered in Paramus NJ.
How to Choose a Barber School in Paramus
Choose in the Best Paramus Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order 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 employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Paramus New Jersey.