How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near Yorktown New York
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Yorktown NY, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Yorktown home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing 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 discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Yorktown NY residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Yorktown NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Yorktown NY barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular 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 focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Yorktown NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Yorktown NY barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Yorktown 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 broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided in Yorktown NY.
How to Become a Barber in Yorktown
Enroll in the Right Yorktown Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get 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. Don't forget to consolidate 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 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 outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Yorktown New York.