How to Select the Best Barbering School Near Abilene Texas
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Abilene TX, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Abilene home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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 Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Abilene TX home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Abilene TX 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 recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Abilene TX barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Abilene TX, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Abilene TX barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Abilene TX area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Abilene TX.
How to Become a Barber in Abilene
Enroll in the Right Abilene Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Abilene Texas.