How to Pick the Best Barbering Classes Near Charleston South Carolina

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Charleston SC, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Charleston home. Tuition will also 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 always the best choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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 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 Schools

Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Charleston SC home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Charleston SC for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those 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 field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Charleston SC barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the South Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances 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 particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Charleston SC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Charleston SC barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Charleston SC area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might 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 all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Charleston SC.

How to Become a Barber in Charleston

Enroll in the Best Charleston Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Charleston South Carolina.

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