How to Select the Right Barbering Training Near Rockwall Texas
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Rockwall TX, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction 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 regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Rockwall residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Rockwall TX home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration 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 selection.
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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Rockwall TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Rockwall TX barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Rockwall TX, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Rockwall TX barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Rockwall TX area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Rockwall TX.
How to Become a Barber in Rockwall
Enroll in the Right Rockwall Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce 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 prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Rockwall Texas.