How to Find the Right Barbering School Near Bellevue Washington

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Bellevue WA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding 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 Bellevue residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

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 Barber Schools

Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bellevue WA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary 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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Bellevue WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Bellevue WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Bellevue WA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Bellevue WA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Bellevue WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Bellevue WA.

How to Choose a Barber School in Bellevue

Choose in the Best Bellevue Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare 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 excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, 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 ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Bellevue Washington.

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