How to Enroll In the Right Barber Course Near Parkersburg West Virginia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Parkersburg WV, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Parkersburg residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about 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 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.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Parkersburg WV residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Parkersburg WV for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding 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 a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Parkersburg WV barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the West Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Parkersburg WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Parkersburg WV barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Parkersburg WV area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Parkersburg WV.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Parkersburg
Choose in the Right Parkersburg Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you get 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 institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Parkersburg West Virginia.