How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Bassett VA

How to Find the Right Esthetician College near Bassett Virginia

Bassett VA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Bassett VA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more concerning 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 Bassett home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about 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 types of training programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Bassett VA Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Bassett VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As previously mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Bassett VA esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two avenues available to obtain 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 usually 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Bassett VA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Bassett VA Online esthetician classes are advantageous for Bassett VA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Trade Schools

Bassett VA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bassett home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 24055 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Bassett VA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Bassett VA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating 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 often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a Bassett VA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s imperative that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Bassett VA businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all 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. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Bassett VA?

Perhaps you live in the Bassett Virginia 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.

Bassett, Virginia

Bassett is a census-designated place (CDP) in Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,100 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Martinsville Micropolitan Statistical Area. The town was founded along a rail line by the same family that later started Bassett Furniture. Bassett Furniture's headquarters have remained in Bassett, Va., since it began in 1902.[3]

The Bassett Historical Center is located in the town. "The Bassett Historical Center is the repository for all genealogical research and local history for the counties of Henry and Patrick County, Virginia and the City of Martinsville, Virginia."[6] Now operated as part of the Blue Ridge Regional Library. "Henry County is one of the seven counties in Virginia that has a Cohabitation List. Slaves were not permitted to marry legally but did have families, with the counties keeping records of which slaves were cohabitating. Also available is the "Afro-American Marriages of Henry County, Virginia", by Harris and Millner, which would be helpful to find an ancestor dating back to the early or mid-1800's."

Bassett is located along the Smith River (Virginia), which flooded in 1937. "Flood of Oct. 19, 1937, reached a stage of about 22.9 ft, from information by local residents, discharge, 38,000 ft³/s, from rating curve extended above 23,000 ft³/s on basis of backwater studies and records for station at Martinsville." Since August 1950, the water flow of the river in Bassett has been regulated by the Philpott Dam, 6.2 miles upstream.[8]

Pick the Right Esthetician Training Program near Bassett VA

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Bassett VA.