How to Pick the Right Barbering Academy Near Palo Alto California

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Palo Alto CA, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Palo Alto residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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, 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.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Palo Alto CA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Palo Alto CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber college 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, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Palo Alto CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Palo Alto CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing 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 mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Palo Alto CA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other 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 essential that he or she receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Palo Alto CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Palo Alto CA.

How to Choose a Barber College in Palo Alto

Choose in the Best Palo Alto Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get 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 college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Palo Alto California.

Palo Alto Barbering Colleges | Palo Alto Schools For Barbering