How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Westfield NY

How to Find the Right Esthetics College near Westfield New York

Westfield NY esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Westfield NY, the process begins to find and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Westfield residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 Westfield NY Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Westfield NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel 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 earlier stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees and Certificates

Westfield NY 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) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 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 trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Westfield NY business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Esthetics Classes

woman attending esthetician school online in Westfield NY Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Westfield NY students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Degree Programs

Westfield NY models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Westfield home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 14787 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Westfield NY employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably 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 a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Westfield NY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular 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 pick 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 dream is to launch a Westfield NY beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Westfield NY businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Westfield NY?

Perhaps you live in the Westfield New York 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.

Westfield, New York

Westfield is a town in the western part Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 4,896 at the 2010 census.[3]Westfield is also the name of a village within the town, containing 65% of the town's population.

The area was first settled in 1802 by James McMahan, formerly of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. McMahan established a mill near the mouth of Chautauqua Creek, where it empties into Lake Erie. The mill was later dismantled in advance of the War of 1812 to prevent it falling into the hands of the British. Today some of the millstones from McMahan's mill rest outside the Patterson Library in Westfield village.

The Barcelona Lighthouse was constructed in 1829 to overlook Barcelona Harbor and aided sailors on Lake Erie until being deactivated in 1859. It was the first lighthouse in the world to be powered by natural gas.

Select the Right Esthetician Vocational School near Westfield NY

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, 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 confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Westfield NY.