How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Stamford CT

How to Choose an Esthetics School near Stamford Connecticut

Stamford CT 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 Stamford CT, the process begins to find and enroll in the best program. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Stamford residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example 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 talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Stamford CT Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through 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 basically 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 mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Stamford CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional 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 formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain 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.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Stamford CT esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues offered to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly 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 available if you want to specialize in 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 run a parlor or other Stamford CT business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.

Online Esthetician Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Stamford CT Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Stamford CT students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in local 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 acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Programs

Stamford CT models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Stamford residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 06901 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Stamford CT 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? Every esthetician institute 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 endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Stamford CT salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 launch a Stamford CT beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out 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 growing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with Stamford CT businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial help may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Stamford CT?

Perhaps you live in the Stamford Connecticut 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.

Stamford, Connecticut

Stamford (/ˈstæmfərd/) is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643. As of 2017, according to the Census Bureau, the population of Stamford had risen to 131,000, making it the third-largest city in the state (behind Bridgeport and New Haven) and the seventh-largest city in New England. Approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Manhattan, Stamford is in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk Metro area which is a part of the Greater New York metropolitan area.

Stamford is home to four Fortune 500 Companies,[3] nine Fortune 1000 Companies, and 13 Courant 100 Companies, as well as numerous divisions of large corporations. This gives Stamford the largest financial district in New York Metro outside New York City itself and one of the largest concentrations of corporations in the nation.

Stamford was known as Rippowam by the Native American inhabitants to the region, and the very first European settlers to the area also referred to it as such. The present name is after the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.[4] The deed to Stamford was signed on July 1, 1640 between Captain Turner of the New Haven Colony and Chief Ponus. By the 18th century, one of the primary industries of the town was merchandising by water, which was possible due to Stamford's proximity to New York.

Choose the Right Esthetician School near Stamford CT

Selecting and enrolling in the right esthetician program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Stamford CT.