How to Find the Right Barber Course Near Houma Louisiana
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Houma LA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction 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 relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Houma residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Houma LA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Houma LA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Houma LA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Louisiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 Houma LA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check 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 enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Houma LA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Houma LA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Houma LA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Houma
Enroll in the Right Houma Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses 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 start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter 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 start your new career as a professional barber in Houma Louisiana.