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How to Pick the Right Barbering School Near Olympia Washington

young man getting a trim from Olympia Washington barberNow that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Olympia WA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Olympia home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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 Choose Barbering?

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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

older gent getting hair trimmed by Olympia Washington barberBelow is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Olympia WA home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Olympia WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Olympia WA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick 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 Olympia WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Olympia WA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Olympia WA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Olympia WA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Olympia

Enroll in the Best Olympia Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Olympia Washington.




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