How to Pick the Best Barber Academy Near Elmira New York
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Elmira NY, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather 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 talk a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Elmira residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at 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 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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Elmira NY home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental 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 select 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Elmira NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final 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 an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school 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 testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Elmira NY barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Elmira NY, 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Elmira NY barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Elmira NY area shops and businesses 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Elmira NY.
How to Train in Barbering in Elmira
Choose in the Right Elmira Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start 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 field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Elmira New York.