How to Find the Best Barbering Course Near Wentzville Missouri
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Wentzville MO, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Wentzville residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Wentzville MO residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed 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 college. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Wentzville MO for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Wentzville MO barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Wentzville MO, 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Wentzville MO barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Wentzville MO area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided in Wentzville MO.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Wentzville
Enroll in the Best Wentzville Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Wentzville Missouri.