How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Colo IA

How to Find the Right Esthetician College near Colo Iowa

Colo IA esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Colo IA, the task starts to find and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit further regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Colo home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Colo IA Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Colo IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

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

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

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Colo IA esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two avenues offered to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally take 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 offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Colo IA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you opt for, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.

Online Esthetician Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Colo IA Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Colo IA students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Training Programs

Colo IA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Colo residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 50056 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Colo IA businesses will not employ 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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 sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Colo IA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Iowa school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a Colo IA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s crucial that she or he receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Colo IA employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial help may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Colo IA?

Perhaps you live in the Colo Iowa 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.

Colo, Iowa

Colo is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. The population was 876 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a part of the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area.

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 876 people, 348 households, and 252 families residing in the city. The population density was 826.4 inhabitants per square mile (319.1/km2). There were 370 housing units at an average density of 349.1 per square mile (134.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 348 households of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.94.

Find the Right Esthetician Vocational School near Colo IA

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Colo IA.