How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Oyster Bay New York

Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Oyster Bay NY, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oyster Bay residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

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

Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Oyster Bay NY home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Oyster Bay NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Oyster Bay NY barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. 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 filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Oyster Bay NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Oyster Bay NY barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Oyster Bay NY area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Oyster Bay NY.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Oyster Bay

Choose in the Right Oyster Bay Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Oyster Bay New York.

Oyster Bay Barber Colleges | Oyster Bay How To Become A Barber