How to Enroll In the Right Barbering College Near Huntington West Virginia

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Huntington WV, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Huntington home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the right choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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 Barber Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Huntington WV home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, 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 may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Huntington WV for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final 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 Good Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Huntington WV barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the West Virginia 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 Specialty?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in Huntington WV, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. 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 growing talents on real people. If a Huntington WV barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Huntington WV area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 available to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Huntington WV.

How to Choose a Barber College in Huntington

Choose in the Right Huntington Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Huntington West Virginia.

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