How to Choose the Right Barbering School Near South Lake Tahoe California

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near South Lake Tahoe CA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your South Lake Tahoe home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering 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 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 Schools

Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your South Lake Tahoe CA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those additional 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 school you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in South Lake Tahoe CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with South Lake Tahoe CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in South Lake Tahoe CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a South Lake Tahoe CA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which South Lake Tahoe CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, 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 Aid Offered?  The majority of 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 learn what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided in South Lake Tahoe CA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in South Lake Tahoe

Choose in the Right South Lake Tahoe Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is important to obtain the appropriate 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 certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in South Lake Tahoe California.

South Lake Tahoe Barbering Classes | South Lake Tahoe Barbering Training