How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Petersburg TN

How to Choose an Esthetics College near Petersburg Tennessee

Petersburg TN esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Petersburg TN, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right program. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Petersburg residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing prospective 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 many other qualifications 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 within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Petersburg TN Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through 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 word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Petersburg TN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As previously mentioned, 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.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Petersburg TN esthetician client with face mask There are basically two options available to receive 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 normally call for 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 offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Petersburg TN business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Esthetician Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Petersburg TN Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Petersburg TN students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed 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 Courses

Petersburg TN models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Petersburg home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 37144 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Petersburg TN employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Petersburg TN salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Tennessee school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a Petersburg TN 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 pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty 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 campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s crucial that he or she receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Petersburg TN employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Petersburg TN?

Perhaps you live in the Petersburg Tennessee 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.

Petersburg, Tennessee

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 580 people, 235 households, and 156 families residing in the town. The population density was 627.7 people per square mile (243.4/km²). There were 252 housing units at an average density of 272.7 per square mile (105.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.41% White, 6.03% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.69% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.

There were 235 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the town, the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

Pick the Right Esthetician College near Petersburg TN

Selecting and enrolling in the right esthetician college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Petersburg TN.