How to Select the Right Barbering School Near Juneau Alaska
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Juneau AK, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Juneau home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Juneau AK home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you select 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Juneau AK for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous 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? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Juneau AK barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Alaska 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 Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Juneau AK, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Juneau AK barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Juneau AK area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 offered to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Juneau AK.
How to Train in Barbering in Juneau
Enroll in the Best Juneau Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive 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 right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Juneau Alaska.