How to Select the Right Barbering School Near Mckeesport Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Mckeesport PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Mckeesport residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Mckeesport PA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Mckeesport PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional 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. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Mckeesport PA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Mckeesport PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Mckeesport PA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring 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 important that he or she gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Mckeesport PA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Mckeesport PA.
How to Become a Barber in Mckeesport
Enroll in the Right Mckeesport Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize 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 college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. 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 right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Mckeesport Pennsylvania.