How to Enroll In the Best Barber School Near Belmont California
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Belmont CA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Belmont residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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 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.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Belmont CA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Belmont CA 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 might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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 sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Belmont CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 open a barber shop in Belmont CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Belmont CA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Belmont CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Belmont CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Belmont
Enroll in the Right Belmont Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Belmont California.