How to Enroll In the Right Barber College Near Walnut Creek California
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Walnut Creek CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Walnut Creek home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Walnut Creek CA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Walnut Creek CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Walnut Creek CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 start a barber shop in Walnut Creek CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Walnut Creek CA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Walnut Creek CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. 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 offered to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Walnut Creek CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Walnut Creek
Enroll in the Best Walnut Creek Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure 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 post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Walnut Creek California.