How to Enroll In the Right Barber Course Near Seatac Washington
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Seatac WA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes 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 confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Seatac residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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?
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 Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Seatac WA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Seatac WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Seatac WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, 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 broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Seatac WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Seatac WA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Seatac WA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out 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? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult 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 available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided in Seatac WA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Seatac
Enroll in the Best Seatac Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information 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 exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Seatac Washington.