How to Enroll In the Best Barber Training Program Near Killeen Texas
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Killeen TX, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused 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 talk a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Killeen home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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, 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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Killeen TX residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Killeen TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals 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 industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Killeen TX barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Texas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Killeen TX, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Killeen TX barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type 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 support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Killeen TX area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided in Killeen TX.
How to Train in Barbering in Killeen
Choose in the Best Killeen Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once 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 Killeen Texas.