How to Pick the Best Barbering Training Program Near Exeter Pennsylvania
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Exeter PA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the distinction 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Exeter home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor 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 ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing 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 discuss a 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.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Exeter PA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Exeter PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might 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 exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Exeter PA barber shop owners or managers, or any person 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 looked into. Finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in Exeter PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Exeter PA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Exeter PA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be provided in Exeter PA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Exeter
Enroll in the Right Exeter Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Exeter Pennsylvania.