How to Select the Right Barbering Training Near Whitemarsh Pennsylvania
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Whitemarsh PA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you select not only furnishes 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 puzzled about the difference 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 relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Whitemarsh home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Whitemarsh PA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Whitemarsh PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Whitemarsh PA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Whitemarsh PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Whitemarsh PA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Whitemarsh PA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may 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 each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Whitemarsh PA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Whitemarsh
Enroll in the Best Whitemarsh Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident 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 employ that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Whitemarsh Pennsylvania.
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