How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Pawcatuck CT

How to Pick an Esthetics Program near Pawcatuck Connecticut

Pawcatuck CT esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Pawcatuck CT, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the school you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit more about that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Pawcatuck residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Pawcatuck CT Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Pawcatuck CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

Estheticians
Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Pawcatuck CT esthetician client with face mask There are basically two options offered to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Pawcatuck CT business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Pawcatuck CT Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Pawcatuck CT students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Classes

Pawcatuck CT models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Pawcatuck residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician school 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 06379 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Pawcatuck CT businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Pawcatuck CT salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, 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, contact the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a Pawcatuck CT beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s imperative that she or he receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with Pawcatuck CT businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Pawcatuck CT?

Perhaps you live in the Pawcatuck Connecticut area, or have found a school that you will commute to or even relocate to attend. Either way, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new esthetician program.

Pawcatuck, Connecticut

Pawcatuck is a village[1] and census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Stonington which is located in New London County, Connecticut. The population was 5,624 at the 2010 census.[2] It is located across the Pawcatuck River from Downtown Westerly, Rhode Island. The Mechanic Street Historic District of Pawcatuck is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes sites of shipbuilding, mills, and worker housing in a 147-acre (0.59 km2) area.[3]

The village of Pawcatuck has a total area of 3.42 square miles (8.87 km2)[4] bordered to the east by the Pawcatuck River. As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 5,474 people, 2,427 households, and 1,439 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,479.9 people per square mile (571.2/km2). There were 2,598 housing units at an average density of 702.4 per square mile (271.1/km2). The racial makeup was 93.53% White, 0.75% African American, 0.69% Native American, 2.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population. The median income for a household in Pawcatuck was $39,799, and the median income for a family was $53,087, and 9.3% of the population was below the poverty line.

Enroll in the Right Esthetician College near Pawcatuck CT

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Pawcatuck CT.