How to Find the Right Barber School Near Charlotte North Carolina

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Charlotte NC, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares 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 basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Charlotte home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 Choose Barbering?

The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Charlotte NC home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you pick 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Charlotte NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Charlotte NC barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 start a barber shop in Charlotte NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Charlotte NC barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Charlotte NC area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Charlotte NC.

How to Train in Barbering in Charlotte

Choose in the Best Charlotte Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Charlotte North Carolina.

Charlotte College Of Barbering | Charlotte Courses For Barbering