How to Find the Right Barbering School Near Orinda California
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Orinda CA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Orinda home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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 Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Orinda CA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Orinda CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Orinda CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 Orinda 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 poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Orinda CA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Orinda CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Orinda CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Orinda
Enroll in the Best Orinda Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive 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 certain to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Orinda California.