How to Find the Right Barber Academy Near Fairfax Virginia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Fairfax VA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Fairfax residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?
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.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Fairfax VA residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Fairfax VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional 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. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Fairfax VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult 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 beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select 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 desire is to launch 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 provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Fairfax VA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Fairfax VA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Fairfax VA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Fairfax
Enroll in the Right Fairfax Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate 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 contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Fairfax Virginia.