How to Select the Right Barber Academy Near Garland Texas
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Garland TX, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference 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 talk a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Garland home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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?
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 Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Garland TX residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you select 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Garland TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Garland TX barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand 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 ambition 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Garland TX, then you want 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 Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Garland TX barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Garland TX area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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 Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Garland TX.
How to Become a Barber in Garland
Enroll in the Right Garland Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure 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 data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer 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. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Garland Texas.