Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Pacifica CA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Pacifica 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 may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Pacifica CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Pacifica CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Pacifica CA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Pacifica 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Pacifica CA.