How to Choose the Right Barber Training Near Burien Washington
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Burien WA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start 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 names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Burien home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Burien WA home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Burien WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school 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 endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Burien WA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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 considered. And finally, check with the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets 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 imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 Burien WA, then you want 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 require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Burien WA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Burien WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. 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 offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Burien WA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Burien
Enroll in the Right Burien Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important 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 certain to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Burien Washington.