How to Enroll In the Best Barber Academy Near Parkersburg West Virginia
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Parkersburg WV, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Parkersburg home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best option. There are various other qualifications 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 looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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 need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Parkersburg WV home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Parkersburg 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 businesses will not recruit 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 evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Parkersburg WV barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the West Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 important 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Parkersburg WV, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Parkersburg WV barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Parkersburg WV area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be provided in Parkersburg WV.
How to Train in Barbering in Parkersburg
Choose in the Best Parkersburg Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Parkersburg West Virginia.