How to Choose the Right Barbering Classes Near Compton California
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Compton CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction 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 talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Compton home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Compton CA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Compton 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 employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may 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 beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Compton CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. 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 complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 goal 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Compton CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Compton CA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Compton CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many 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 identify what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in Compton CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Compton
Choose in the Best Compton Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize 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 select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce 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 prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Compton California.