How to Pick the Best Barber College Near Fairfax Virginia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Fairfax VA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Fairfax residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in 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?
A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Fairfax VA residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Fairfax 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 might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Fairfax VA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, 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 finally, consult the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden 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 intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Fairfax 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
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 classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Fairfax VA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Fairfax VA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing 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 accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in Fairfax VA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Fairfax
Enroll in the Best Fairfax Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to compile 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 good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when 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 Fairfax Virginia.