How to Find the Right Barber College Near Monterey California
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Monterey CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Monterey home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are several 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 looking at later within 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Monterey CA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain 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 comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Monterey CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Monterey CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Monterey CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Monterey CA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Monterey CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out 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? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might 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 with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Monterey CA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Monterey
Choose in the Right Monterey Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Monterey California.