How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Smithtown NY

How to Select an Esthetics Training Program near Smithtown New York

Smithtown NY esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Smithtown NY, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s essential that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference 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 talk a bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Smithtown residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Smithtown NY Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Smithtown NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Smithtown NY 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 typically require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Smithtown NY business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Smithtown NY Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Smithtown NY students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Trade Schools

Smithtown NY models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Smithtown home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the esthetician training program you select 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 11745 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Smithtown NY employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Smithtown NY salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition 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 vision is to open a Smithtown NY beauty salon, then you want 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 deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s crucial that he or she receives aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Smithtown NY employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses 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 Available? Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Smithtown NY?

Perhaps you live in the Smithtown New York 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.

Smithtown, New York

Smithtown originally, known as "Smithfield",[citation needed] was first settled around 1665. Local legend has it that, after rescuing a Native American chief's kidnapped daughter, Richard Smith was told that the chief would grant title to all of the land Smith could encircle in one day "on a bull". Smith chose to ride the bull on the longest day of the year (summer solstice), to enable him to ride longer "in one day". The land he acquired in this way is said to approximate the current town's location. There is a large anatomically correct[4] statue of Smith's bull, known as Whisper, at the fork of Jericho Turnpike (New York State Route 25) and St. Johnland Road (New York State Route 25A).[5]

The border between Smithtown and the town of Huntington is partially defined by Bread and Cheese Hollow Road (Suffolk County Road 4), so named after Bread and Cheese hollow, which according to legend is where Smith stopped on his ride to have a lunch of bread and cheese. The road is reputed to follow part of his original ride. The border between Smithtown and Huntington was also the site of Fort Salonga, a British fort that was the site of a battle of the American Revolution during 1781.[6][7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 111.4 square miles (288.5 km²), of which, 53.6 square miles (138.8 km²) of it is land and 57.8 square miles (149.7 km²) of it (51.89%) is water.[citation needed]

Choose the Right Esthetician Training Program near Smithtown NY

Selecting and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Smithtown NY.