How to Find the Right Barber Academy Near Whitehall Pennsylvania

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Whitehall PA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Whitehall residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?

A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Whitehall PA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Whitehall PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Whitehall PA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, 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 Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Whitehall PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Whitehall PA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find 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 essential that he or she gets support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Whitehall PA 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 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 looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be offered in Whitehall PA.

How to Choose a Barber School in Whitehall

Choose in the Best Whitehall Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when 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 Whitehall Pennsylvania.

Whitehall Barber Colleges | Whitehall How To Become A Barber