How to Enroll In the Right Barbering School Near Des Moines Washington
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Des Moines WA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Des Moines residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Des Moines WA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, 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 important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Des Moines 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, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Des Moines WA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Des Moines WA, 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 provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Des Moines WA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this type 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 gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Des Moines WA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Des Moines WA.
How to Become a Barber in Des Moines
Enroll in the Best Des Moines Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Des Moines Washington.