For anyone with the desire and talent, the beauty industry can make a great career choice. However, no amount of talent and drive will fully prepare you for that career. Colleges in the beauty industry exist to give you the education, training and certification necessary to jumpstart your career, but you need to know how to judge them. You have an incredible number of options when it comes to colleges, but they’re far from being equal. Here are a few things you should know.
Accreditation Matters
As with all education providers, you need to make sure that any colleges for cosmetology or other beauty training you’re considering are accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency. Accreditation is proof that the school meets state and federal guidelines and does everything possible to keep their courses up to date and accurate for their students.
Programs Count Here
Not all schools offer the same types of programs. Some offer little more than introductory courses, while others provide in-depth training. You also need to make sure that the schools you consider offer the certification path that you want – there’s no point in settling for something less than ideal. After all, you’ll be footing the bill here and this is your future you’re talking about. You must make a good choice. Take a little time and vet the programs on offer from various colleges before applying to any of them.
Program Completion Matters
Some education providers offer fast graduation, while others last a bit longer. While both methods can offer benefits, you’ll need to make sure that you know which is right for you. For instance, if you want to really hone your skills, a longer duration is advisable. If you already have some experience and knowledge and are really just “brushing up”, then a shorter duration is fine. Match the course duration to your career goals.
Onsite Training Facilities Are Important
Finally, you want to make sure that any colleges you’re considering have an onsite salon where you can get hands-on training. Some schools partner with local salons for this, or they expect you to find a way to supplement your classroom training with real-world experience on your own. It’s a far better idea to choose colleges that offer onsite salon facilities completely outfitted with all the equipment and supplies you’ll need for hands-on training.
