How to Select the Right Barber Academy Near Blacksburg Virginia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Blacksburg VA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat confused 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 talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Blacksburg home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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 Choose Barbering?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Blacksburg VA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Blacksburg VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Blacksburg VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Virginia 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 Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Blacksburg VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. 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 talents on volunteers. If a Blacksburg VA barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Blacksburg VA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Blacksburg VA.
How to Become a Barber in Blacksburg
Choose in the Best Blacksburg Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the necessary 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 information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Blacksburg Virginia.