Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Hollywood CA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Hollywood CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final 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 a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Hollywood CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology 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 instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Hollywood CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires 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 allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Hollywood CA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Hollywood CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive 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 qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Hollywood CA.