How to Pick the Best Barbering Academy Near Raleigh North Carolina
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Raleigh NC, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Raleigh residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Raleigh NC residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Raleigh NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many 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 individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Raleigh NC barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Raleigh NC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Raleigh NC barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type 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 gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Raleigh NC area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid 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. Consult 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be provided in Raleigh NC.
How to Train in Barbering in Raleigh
Choose in the Best Raleigh Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential 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. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Raleigh North Carolina.