How to Find the Right Barber Course Near Alameda California
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Alameda CA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning 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 Alameda home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Alameda CA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Alameda CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Alameda CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Alameda CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Alameda CA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Alameda CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Alameda CA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Alameda
Choose in the Best Alameda Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Alameda California.