How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Enola PA

How to Select an Esthetician College near Enola Pennsylvania

Enola 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 Enola PA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best program. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Enola home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing 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 little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Enola PA 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 a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually 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 undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Enola PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Enola PA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues available to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally take 12 to 18 months to finish, 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. Briefer programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Enola PA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable 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 upcoming segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Enola PA Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Enola PA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult 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 schools are often fast paced because many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet 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.

What to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools

Enola PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Enola residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 17025 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Enola PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Enola PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a Enola PA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Enola PA employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial help may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Enola PA?

Perhaps you live in the Enola 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.

Enola, Pennsylvania

Enola is a census-designated place (CDP) located along the Susquehanna River in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,111 at the 2010 census.[1]Norfolk Southern operates Enola Yard, a large rail yard and locomotive shop in Enola. It is situated in Cumberland County, directly across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The town came into existence due to the building of rail lines through the area. Local farmers Francis and Wesley Miller sold 2 acres (0.81 ha) to the Pennsylvania Railroad to be used as a flag station. Mr. Miller was given the honor of naming the train station. He named the station "Enola", after his daughter. Miller at the time was the only resident living in the area. Eventually, when more people moved to the area the local post office and surrounding town adopted the name as well.

In the fall of 1902, the Pennsylvania Railroad made the decision to build a classification yard "between Marysville, Pennsylvania and West Fairview, Pennsylvania." In 1903, their agent, the Manor Realty Co. purchasing 743 acres (301 ha), officially opened the yards in January 1905. Of the 743 acres, the Enola Realty Co. bought 104 acres (42 ha) for $26,500. This would officially become known as Enola (or current North Enola).

Select the Right Esthetics Program near Enola PA

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is essential to receive the necessary 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 collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Enola PA.