How to Choose the Best Barber School Near Cerritos California
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Cerritos CA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Cerritos residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little 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 Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Cerritos CA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Cerritos CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college 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 businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Cerritos CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Cerritos CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Cerritos CA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate 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 he or she receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Cerritos CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all 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. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available in Cerritos CA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Cerritos
Choose in the Right Cerritos Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Cerritos California.