How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Searsmont ME

How to Pick an Esthetician Training Program near Searsmont Maine

Searsmont ME esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Searsmont ME, the task starts to find and enroll in the right program. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Searsmont home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Searsmont ME Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Searsmont ME beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As already stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Searsmont ME esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two avenues available to receive esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Searsmont ME business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Maine Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetician Training

woman attending esthetician school online in Searsmont ME Online esthetician schools are advantageous for Searsmont ME students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced because many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Searsmont ME models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Searsmont home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the esthetician college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 04973 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Searsmont ME employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Searsmont ME salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Maine 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 broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a Searsmont ME beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s imperative that he or she receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with Searsmont ME businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Searsmont ME?

Perhaps you live in the Searsmont Maine 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.

Searsmont, Maine

Located at the junction of several well-marked Indian trails, it was called Quantabacook. The town was a part of the Waldo Patent purchased by a consortium of wealthy Boston investors which included David Sears. First settled in 1804 and called Fraternity Village by Ben Ames Williams, it was incorporated on February 5, 1814 as Searsmont, named after its proprietor.[4]

The town was noted for its productive soil, water power and abundant forests of white pine. By 1859, when the population was 1,693, it had fifteen sawmills and two gristmills.[4] In 1886, it had five lumber mills, three cooperages, a sash, blind and pump factory, four carriage factories, a tannery, a boot and shoe factory, and a coffin and bedstead factory.[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.15 square miles (101.40 km2), of which, 37.74 square miles (97.75 km2) of it is land and 1.41 square miles (3.65 km2) is water.[1] Adjacent to Quantabacook Lake (665 acres), Searsmont is drained by the St. George River. Other ponds include Levenseller Pond (34 acres), Lawry Pond (85 acres), Ruffingham Meadow (51 acres) and Little Pond (42 acres).

Find the Right Esthetics Training Program near Searsmont ME

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Searsmont ME.