How to Choose the Best Barber College Near Mooresville North Carolina
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Mooresville NC, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference 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 next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Mooresville home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are several 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?
A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Mooresville NC home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first 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 narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Mooresville NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Mooresville NC barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Mooresville NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Mooresville NC barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Mooresville NC area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all 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. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Mooresville NC.
How to Train in Barbering in Mooresville
Choose in the Right Mooresville Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school 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 provided in this article, 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 examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Mooresville North Carolina.