How to Find the Best Barber School Near Bellingham Washington

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Bellingham WA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Bellingham residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Bellingham WA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Bellingham WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those 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 field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Bellingham WA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Bellingham WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out 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 allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Bellingham WA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Bellingham WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher 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. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Bellingham WA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Bellingham

Enroll in the Best Bellingham Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Bellingham Washington.

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