How to Pick the Right Barbering College Near Irvine California
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Irvine CA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Irvine residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Irvine CA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Irvine CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those 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 field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Irvine CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with 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? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 Irvine CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Irvine CA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Irvine CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available in Irvine CA.
How to Become a Barber in Irvine
Choose in the Right Irvine Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Irvine California.