How to Select the Best Barber Training Program Near Herndon Virginia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Herndon VA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Herndon residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 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 Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Herndon VA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs 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 typically are not available in Herndon 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, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Herndon VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Herndon VA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Herndon VA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing 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 school, it's essential that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Herndon VA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Herndon VA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Herndon
Choose in the Right Herndon Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Herndon Virginia.