How to Find the Right Barbering College Near Pleasant Hill California

Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Pleasant Hill CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Pleasant Hill residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing 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 in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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 Barbering Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Pleasant Hill CA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Pleasant Hill 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 recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Pleasant Hill CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Pleasant Hill CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Pleasant Hill CA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Pleasant Hill CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Pleasant Hill CA.

How to Become a Barber in Pleasant Hill

Choose in the Right Pleasant Hill Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Pleasant Hill California.

Pleasant Hill Barbering Colleges | Pleasant Hill Schools For Barbering