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Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Compton CA home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Compton CA employers will not employ 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent 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, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Compton CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Compton CA, then you want 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 require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Compton CA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer 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 he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Compton CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all 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 identify 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be provided in Compton CA.