How to Select the Best Barbering College Near Rego Park New York
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Rego Park NY, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Rego Park home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Rego Park NY home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Rego Park 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 employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Rego Park NY barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Rego Park NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Rego Park NY barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Rego Park NY area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Rego Park NY.
How to Train in Barbering in Rego Park
Enroll in the Right Rego Park Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to obtain the proper 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 sure to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Rego Park New York.