How to Enroll In the Right Barber Academy Near Albany New York
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Albany NY, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference 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 kind of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Albany home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance 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 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.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Albany NY residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably 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 reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Albany NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Albany NY barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the New York 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 Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Albany NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Albany NY barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Albany NY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be provided in Albany NY.
How to Train in Barbering in Albany
Enroll in the Right Albany Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, 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 ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Albany New York.