How to Choose the Right Barber School Near North Lynnwood Washington

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near North Lynnwood WA, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your North Lynnwood home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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?

Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.

What to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your North Lynnwood WA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected 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 college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in North Lynnwood WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many 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?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent 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 sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with North Lynnwood 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 propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden 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 objective 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 open a barber shop in North Lynnwood WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check 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 enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a North Lynnwood WA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might 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 Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which North Lynnwood WA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask 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 Offered?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be provided in North Lynnwood WA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in North Lynnwood

Choose in the Right North Lynnwood Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in North Lynnwood Washington.

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