How to Select the Best Barber College Near San Marcos Texas
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near San Marcos TX, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary 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 puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your San Marcos residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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 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 Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your San Marcos TX home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in San Marcos TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with San Marcos TX barber shop owners or managers, or someone 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. And last, contact the Texas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in San Marcos TX, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a San Marcos TX barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which San Marcos TX area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be offered in San Marcos TX.
How to Become a Barber in San Marcos
Choose in the Right San Marcos Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in San Marcos Texas.