How to Choose the Best Barbering College Near Jefferson City Missouri
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Jefferson City MO, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Jefferson City home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Jefferson City MO residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Jefferson City MO for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating 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 referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Jefferson City MO barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Jefferson City MO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out 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 real people. If a Jefferson City MO barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Jefferson City MO area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Jefferson City MO.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Jefferson City
Enroll in the Best Jefferson City Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive 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 use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Jefferson City Missouri.
Jefferson City Barbering Colleges | Jefferson City Schools For Barbering