How to Find the Best Barbering College Near Allentown Pennsylvania
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Allentown PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Allentown home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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?
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.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Allentown PA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Allentown PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Allentown PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Pennsylvania 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? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Allentown PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Allentown PA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Allentown PA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be offered in Allentown PA.
How to Train in Barbering in Allentown
Choose in the Right Allentown Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Allentown Pennsylvania.