How to Select the Right Barbering Training Near New Orleans Louisiana
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near New Orleans LA, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your New Orleans home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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 Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your New Orleans LA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in New Orleans LA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria 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 might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with New Orleans LA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, 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, check with the Louisiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted 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, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in New Orleans LA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a New Orleans LA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which New Orleans LA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available in New Orleans LA.
How to Train in Barbering in New Orleans
Enroll in the Right New Orleans Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in New Orleans Louisiana.
New Orleans Barbering Colleges | New Orleans Schools For Barbering