How to Choose the Right Barber Academy Near Crestview Florida
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Crestview FL, the task begins to locate 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 selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Crestview home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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, 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.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Crestview FL home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some of those supplemental 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 enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Crestview FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Crestview FL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 start a barber shop in Crestview FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Crestview FL barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Crestview FL 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? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Crestview FL.
How to Train in Barbering in Crestview
Enroll in the Right Crestview Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Crestview Florida.