How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Clearlake WA

How to Choose an Esthetician Program near Clearlake Washington

Clearlake WA esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Clearlake WA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear 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 type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Clearlake home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Clearlake WA Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Clearlake WA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As earlier stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some 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, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Clearlake WA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two pathways available to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Clearlake WA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the Washington Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetics Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Clearlake WA Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Clearlake WA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Degree Programs

Clearlake WA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Clearlake home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician training program you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 98235 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Clearlake WA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Clearlake WA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select 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 dream is to start a Clearlake WA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated 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 refining esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s important that she or he receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Clearlake WA employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Clearlake WA?

Perhaps you live in the Clearlake Washington 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.

NetMotion Software

NetMotion Software is a privately held software company specializing in mobile performance management.[3][4][5] Founded in 2001 and based in Seattle, Washington, NetMotion develops software for organizations with mobile workforces designed to allow them to manage, optimize, accelerate and secure traffic to mobile devices.[6] The company's software is used in utilities, healthcare, telecommunication, public safety, government, insurance and manufacturing.[6]

The company was formed in 2001 as a spin-off from WRQ, Inc. In 2006, NetMotion merged with Padcom, Inc.[7] In September 2010[8] and again in 2011[9]. In September 2012, NetMotion was acquired by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P.[10] Under Clearlake's ownership, NetMotion expanded into the European and Asia Pacific markets seeking additional growth.[11] In July 2016, Christopher Kenessey was named CEO,[12] then in August of that same year NetMotion was acquired by The Carlyle Group.[11]

The bulk of the company's operations are located at the North American headquarters in Seattle, Washington. Three sales offices in Europe handle international sales including sales into Australia, New Zealand and several African countries.[13]

Select the Right Esthetics College near Clearlake WA

Picking and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce 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 qualified to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Clearlake WA.