How to Choose the Best Barbering Course Near Bronx New York
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Bronx NY, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bronx residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect 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 best option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing 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 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 Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Bronx NY residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Bronx NY 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Bronx NY 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 suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Bronx NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included 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 growing skills on real people. If a Bronx NY barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Bronx NY area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial help may be provided in Bronx NY.
How to Train in Barbering in Bronx
Enroll in the Best Bronx Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, 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 ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Bronx New York.