How to Pick the Best Barber School Near Bell Gardens California
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Bell Gardens CA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the contrast 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 relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bell Gardens residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bell Gardens CA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you pick 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Bell Gardens CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Bell Gardens CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, 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 considered. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology 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 decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Bell Gardens CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask 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 growing skills on volunteers. If a Bell Gardens CA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Bell Gardens CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Bell Gardens CA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Bell Gardens
Enroll in the Right Bell Gardens Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to organize 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 sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Bell Gardens California.