How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Orrstown PA

How to Enroll In an Esthetician Training Program near Orrstown Pennsylvania

Orrstown PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Orrstown PA, the task starts to find and enroll in the best program. It’s essential that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Orrstown home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the ideal option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Orrstown PA Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Orrstown PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide variety 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 have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Orrstown PA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two pathways available to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally 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 trained in all 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 probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Orrstown PA 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 opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve 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 choose in the next section.

Online Esthetician Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Orrstown PA Online esthetician schools are convenient for Orrstown PA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 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’re not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. 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 Training Classes

Orrstown PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Orrstown residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 17244 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Orrstown PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Orrstown PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective 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 open a Orrstown PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Orrstown PA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Orrstown PA?

Perhaps you live in the Orrstown 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.

Orrstown, Pennsylvania

Orrstown was founded in 1833 by the Orr brothers. It is surrounded by Southampton Township in Franklin County, on the old state road from Shippensburg to Upper Strasburg. Settlements were made in that neighborhood as early as 1738. Before the completion of the Pennsylvania Railroad, horses and cattle were annually driven down the state road (now Pennsylvania Route 533/Orrstown Road) to eastern markets. The town was laid out in 1833, by John, William and James Orr.[4] At first, they called it "Southampton", after the township; but in 1835, when application was made for a post office to be called Southampton, the Post Office Department refused because there was already a post office of that name. George Chambers, who represented the area in Congress, named the post office "Orrstown", and the name has since been attached to the town.

It was incorporated as a borough on May 3, 1847, and in 1878 the town had one hotel, two stores, one carriage factory, and four churches: Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Brethren and Winebrennerian. The populations was then 325.[5]

Orrstown is located in northeastern Franklin County at 40°3′31″N 77°36′33″W / 40.05861°N 77.60917°W / 40.05861; -77.60917 (40.058482, -77.609213),[6] at the intersection of Pennsylvania Routes 433 (Rowe Run Road) and 533 (Orrstown Road). PA 433 leads northwest 5 miles (8 km) to Roxbury and south 5 miles to the Letterkenny Army Depot. Chambersburg, the county seat, is 11 miles (18 km) to the south via PA 433 and U.S. Route 11. PA 533 leads east 5 miles to Shippensburg and west 6 miles (10 km) to Upper Strasburg.

Find the Right Esthetics School near Orrstown PA

Picking and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Orrstown PA.