How to Select the Right Barbering College Near Bakersfield California

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Bakersfield CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bakersfield residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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?

A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Bakersfield CA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Bakersfield CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Bakersfield CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Bakersfield CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Bakersfield CA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Bakersfield CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask 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 Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Bakersfield CA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Bakersfield

Choose in the Right Bakersfield Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Bakersfield California.

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