How to Find the Best Barbering College Near Wausau Wisconsin
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Wausau WI, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might 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 basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Wausau home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within 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?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Wausau WI residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Wausau WI for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college 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 references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Wausau WI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Wausau 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 Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty 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 developing skills on volunteers. If a Wausau WI barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance 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 looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Wausau WI area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, 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 respected 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 reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Wausau WI.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Wausau
Choose in the Right Wausau Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Wausau Wisconsin.