How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Valley Stream New York

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Valley Stream NY, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Valley Stream home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 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

Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Valley Stream NY home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Valley Stream NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire 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 college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Valley Stream NY barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. 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?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Valley Stream NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Valley Stream NY barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Valley Stream NY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered in Valley Stream NY.

How to Train in Barbering in Valley Stream

Enroll in the Best Valley Stream Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Valley Stream New York.

Valley Stream Barbering Colleges | Valley Stream Schools For Barbering