How to Find the Right Barbering School Near Charlottesville Virginia

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Charlottesville VA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Charlottesville home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Charlottesville VA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected 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 sure that the barber training program you select 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Charlottesville VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent 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, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Charlottesville VA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example 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 goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Charlottesville VA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Charlottesville VA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide 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 receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Charlottesville VA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be available in Charlottesville VA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Charlottesville

Enroll in the Right Charlottesville Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, 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 launch your career as a professional barber in Charlottesville Virginia.

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