How to Select the Right Barbering School Near Reedley California
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Reedley CA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Reedley home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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 Choose Barbering?
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 Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Reedley CA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Reedley CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably 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 exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Reedley CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted 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 complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 Reedley 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Reedley CA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Reedley CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Reedley CA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Reedley
Enroll in the Right Reedley Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Reedley California.