How to Enroll In the Best Barber College Near Lake Havasu City Arizona

Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lake Havasu City AZ, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Havasu City home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review 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 Become a Barber?

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

Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lake Havasu City AZ residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Lake Havasu City AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lake Havasu City AZ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Arizona 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?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Lake Havasu City AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Lake Havasu City AZ barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Lake Havasu City AZ area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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 Aid Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Lake Havasu City AZ.

How to Choose a Barber College in Lake Havasu City

Choose in the Best Lake Havasu City Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the necessary 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 compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Lake Havasu City Arizona.

Lake Havasu City Barbering Colleges | Lake Havasu City Schools For Barbering