It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!
What to Ask Esthetics Trade Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Salem residence, as well as 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 narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician training program you pick 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Salem VA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Salem VA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand 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 an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a Salem VA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Salem VA businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered.