How to Choose the Right Barbering College Near Virginia Beach Virginia
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Virginia Beach VA, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Virginia Beach home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Virginia Beach VA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some 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 certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, 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 may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Virginia Beach VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement 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 might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Virginia Beach VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas 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 imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Virginia Beach 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 deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Virginia Beach VA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Virginia Beach VA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer 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 get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Virginia Beach VA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Virginia Beach
Enroll in the Best Virginia Beach Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Virginia Beach Virginia.
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