Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Gustavus AK

How to Pick a Beauty College near Gustavus Alaska

nail technicians training at Gustavus AK beauty schoolSince you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Gustavus AK, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Gustavus home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when evaluating possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Gustavus AK makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Gustavus AK beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Gustavus AK hairdresser cutting hairThere are essentially two pathways available to obtain cosmetology 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 normally take 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Gustavus AK business. More advanced degrees are not typical, 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 important to make certain that it’s certified by the Alaska Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetologist Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Gustavus AKOnline beauty programs are accommodating for Gustavus AK students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Training Courses

Questions to ask Gustavus AK beauty schoolsFollowing is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Gustavus AK home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should 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 sure that the cosmetology training program you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 99826 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 Gustavus AK businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Gustavus AK salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Alaska school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Gustavus AK, then you need 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that he or she gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develope relationships with Gustavus AK employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Gustavus AK?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Gustavus AK area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Gustavus, Alaska

Gustavus, formerly known as "Strawberry Point", lies on the outwash plain created by the glaciers that once filled Glacier Bay. Two hundred years ago, it was primarily a single large "beach". The native Tlingit people and others used the area for fishing, berry picking, and other similar uses. The town itself is less than one hundred years old. The first settlers arrived in 1914, but left shortly afterward. The first permanent homestead was established in 1917, when Abraham Lincoln Parker moved his family to Strawberry Point. Many Gustavus residents are descendants and relatives of the original Parker homesteaders.

In 1925 the name became "Gustavus", when the U.S. Post Office required a change for its new post office, although locals continued calling it "Strawberry Point" long afterwards. The new name came from Point Gustavus at the mouth of Glacier Bay.

In 1793 George Vancouver named Point Adolphus (at the northern tip of Chichagof Island, and today a well-known humpback whale feeding area) after Adolphus Frederick, seventh son of King George III. In 1878, W.H. Dall, while working on a coastal survey, saw "Adolphus" on the map and assumed it was for Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus. The point across Icy Strait from Point Adolphus at the mouth of Glacier Bay was not named on the map, so Dall called it "Gustavus". Another possibility is that Dall named Gustavus for Gustavus C. Hanus, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who had extensive experience throughout southeast Alaska, and both Dall and Hanus served with the Coast Survey in Alaska. Hanus laid out the first streets in Juneau and helped quell the trouble in Klukwan in 1881.

Select the Right Beauty Vocational School near Gustavus AK

Gustavus AK barber blow drying client's hairLocating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Gustavus AK.

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