How to Pick the Best Barbering Classes Near Jacksonville North Carolina

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Jacksonville NC, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning 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 Jacksonville residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Become a Barber?

Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.

Questions to Ask Barbering Schools

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Jacksonville NC home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Jacksonville NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. 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, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Jacksonville NC barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 Jacksonville NC, 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 weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Jacksonville NC barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Jacksonville NC area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide 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 considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Jacksonville NC.

How to Choose a Barber School in Jacksonville

Enroll in the Right Jacksonville Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Jacksonville North Carolina.

Jacksonville Barbering Colleges | Jacksonville Schools For Barbering