How to Pick the Right Barbering Classes Near Seattle Washington
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Seattle WA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you select not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. 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 names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Seattle home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in 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 Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Seattle WA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Seattle 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Seattle WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, 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, check with the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Seattle WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Seattle WA barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Seattle WA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out 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 Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in Seattle WA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Seattle
Enroll in the Right Seattle Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Seattle Washington.