How to Select the Right Barber College Near Paramus New Jersey
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Paramus NJ, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin 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 essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Paramus residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the right choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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 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 Training Programs
Below is a series 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 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Paramus NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Paramus 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 looked into. And last, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Paramus NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Paramus NJ barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Paramus 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 broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult 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 also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided in Paramus NJ.
How to Choose a Barber School in Paramus
Enroll in the Right Paramus Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter 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 start your new career as a professional barber in Paramus New Jersey.