How to Choose the Best Barbering Course Near Hayward California
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Hayward CA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might 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 kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Hayward residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance 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 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Hayward CA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Hayward 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, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Hayward CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Hayward CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Hayward CA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Hayward CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Hayward CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Hayward
Enroll in the Right Hayward Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter 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 qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Hayward California.