How to Enroll In the Right Barbering College Near Watertown Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Watertown WI, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Watertown residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance 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 talk a 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.

What to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Watertown WI home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Watertown WI 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 hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Watertown WI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Wisconsin 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 Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 Watertown WI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Watertown WI barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other 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 imperative that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Watertown WI area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out 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 too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered in Watertown WI.

How to Become a Barber in Watertown

Choose in the Right Watertown Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Watertown Wisconsin.

Watertown Barber Colleges | Watertown How To Become A Barber