How to Choose the Best Barber Course Near Glassboro New Jersey
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Glassboro NJ, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast 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 kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Glassboro home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Glassboro NJ residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Glassboro NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Glassboro NJ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Glassboro NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Glassboro NJ barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Glassboro NJ area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided in Glassboro NJ.
How to Train in Barbering in Glassboro
Choose in the Right Glassboro Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Glassboro New Jersey.