How to Select the Right Barbering Course Near Lexington North Carolina
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Lexington NC, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start 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 names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lexington residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lexington NC residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school 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 may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Lexington NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Lexington NC barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the North Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 Lexington NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Lexington NC barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Lexington NC area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. 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 meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Lexington NC.
How to Choose a Barber College in Lexington
Enroll in the Best Lexington Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Lexington North Carolina.