How to Choose the Right Barber College Near Redmond Washington
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Redmond WA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Redmond residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the ideal option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at 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?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Redmond WA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Redmond WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Redmond WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted 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, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 Redmond WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty 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 enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Redmond WA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Redmond WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Redmond WA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Redmond
Enroll in the Right Redmond Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Redmond Washington.