How to Pick the Right Barber College Near Modesto California
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Modesto CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary 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 bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Modesto home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little 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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Modesto CA home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Modesto 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Modesto CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Modesto CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Modesto CA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate 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 crucial that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Modesto CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Modesto CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Modesto
Enroll in the Best Modesto Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive 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 ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Modesto California.