How to Enroll In the Right Barbering School Near Yonkers New York
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Yonkers NY, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Yonkers home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Yonkers NY home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Yonkers NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent 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, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Yonkers NY barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Yonkers NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Yonkers NY barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help 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 inquire which Yonkers NY area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided in Yonkers NY.
How to Choose a Barber School in Yonkers
Enroll in the Best Yonkers Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses 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 sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Yonkers New York.