How to Find the Best Barbering Classes Near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Pittsburgh PA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Pittsburgh home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 Choose Barbering?
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 Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Pittsburgh PA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Pittsburgh PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college 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 testimonials 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 demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Pittsburgh PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that focuses on 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 Pittsburgh 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 require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Pittsburgh PA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain 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 inquire which Pittsburgh PA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all 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 identify 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available in Pittsburgh PA.
How to Train in Barbering in Pittsburgh
Choose in the Right Pittsburgh Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain 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 reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh Barbering Colleges | Pittsburgh Schools For Barbering