How to Enroll In the Best Barbering School Near Downey California
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Downey CA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding 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 Downey residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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 Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Downey CA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Downey CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Downey CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Downey CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Downey CA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Downey CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many 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. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Downey CA.
How to Become a Barber in Downey
Enroll in the Best Downey Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down 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 qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Downey California.