How to Pick the Right Barber Classes Near Duarte California
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Duarte CA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Duarte residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Duarte CA home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Duarte CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably 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 exceptional 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 placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Duarte CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, consult 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? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Duarte CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask 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 growing talents on real people. If a Duarte CA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Duarte 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 wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Duarte CA.
How to Become a Barber in Duarte
Choose in the Right Duarte Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Duarte California.