How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Training Near Staten Island New York

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Staten Island NY, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Staten Island home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 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 Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Staten Island NY residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Staten Island NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Staten Island NY barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 open a barber shop in Staten Island NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Staten Island NY barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Staten Island NY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. 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 too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Staten Island NY.

How to Choose a Barber School in Staten Island

Enroll in the Right Staten Island Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to get the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Staten Island New York.

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