How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Blandon PA

How to Select an Esthetician Training Program near Blandon Pennsylvania

Blandon PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Blandon PA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Blandon residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Blandon PA Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Blandon PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As formerly stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Blandon PA esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two pathways available to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Blandon PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.

Online Esthetician Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Blandon PA Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Blandon PA students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Schools

Blandon PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Blandon home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician college 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 19510 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Blandon PA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent 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 endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Blandon PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 aspiration is to launch a Blandon PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s essential that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with Blandon PA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Blandon PA?

Perhaps you live in the Blandon Pennsylvania 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.

Blandon, Pennsylvania

Blandon is a census-designated place[2] in Maidencreek Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located at the junction of Pennsylvania Route 73 and Park Road. As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,152 residents.[3] Third Rail bar and restaurant is located in Blandon.[4]

A post office called Blandon has been in operation since 1862.[5] Sources differ whether the community was named for H. Willis Bland,[6] a county judge, or for Robert Bland,[7] an original owner of the town site.

Select the Right Esthetician School near Blandon PA

Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician college is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Blandon PA.