How to Find the Right Barbering College Near Islip New York
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Islip NY, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Islip residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering 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 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 Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Islip NY home, 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 probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Islip NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Islip NY barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Islip NY, then you want 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 need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Islip NY barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Islip NY area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask 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 offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Islip NY.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Islip
Choose in the Right Islip Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Islip New York.