How to Choose the Right Barbering Training Program Near Edinburg Texas
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Edinburg TX, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you pick not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Edinburg home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Edinburg TX residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Edinburg TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Edinburg TX 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 propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Texas school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance 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 intention 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 open a barber shop in Edinburg TX, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Edinburg TX barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives help in securing that 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 skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Edinburg TX area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Edinburg TX.
How to Become a Barber in Edinburg
Enroll in the Right Edinburg Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses 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 start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Edinburg Texas.