The Future of the Barber Shop - In Favor of Barber Schools

The following comments are written by Chris who also wrote the excellent article "The Opinion of a Young Barber" in this discussion about the future of the barber shop.

First, let me start by saying that I did a career change into barbering and have really enjoyed it. I understand your concerns regarding barber school vs. cosmetology school, but I think you would be better off with barber school.

Your goal is to get the barber license, that is the biggest hurdle. As with any educational program, you only get the basics from the course of instruction. I thought I was ready to go when I got my license but I learned more the first month at the barbershop than the entire 9 months of barber school. As far as learning styling, color or perms, once you get your license a lot of supply stores hold classes on Sundays and Mondays teaching those subjects. I know the store near me would also let students attend. The stores are getting something too- they want you to buy their supplies for your shop. But the classes are smaller, more one on one instruction and the quality of the teaching is good. You can also attend hair shows across the country sponsored by supply stores where you can learn new trends, styles and products. Many of the instructors at the shows offer instruction at their shops during the year, for a fee of course. But also well worth it.

I am sure you are correct about the local barber school and unfortunately, that is the norm. I had a really good school, OG's School of Hair Design, Killeen, TX. They taught the styling, coloring, perms and some razor cutting. As far as learning from tapes, etc., if you don't have the models to practice on, you are wasting your time. Trust me, it is one thing to see it done very easily on video, but carrying it out is a little trickier. By no means am I doubting your skills, I am speaking from my own experience. I have watched many tapes and it always looked easier on the screen. You may want to talk to some local barbers and see if you can't go by and watch them work and pick up some pointers from them. You could also do the same with a beauty salon so you can see the colors and perms. Establish a mentoring program for yourself. The old time clipper course may not be too bad now seeing how those styles are very popular now; with some of the high school kids, you just can't get the hair short enough. Also, at cosmetology school, at least the one by me, you do a lot of perm rolling. Something you may want to consider, especially since you said you want to cut hair.

As far as the future of the barbering profession; it is what you make it. As I said, once you get your license, you are set. The rest is up to you. You can stand behind your chair all day and just cut hair or you can develop yourself and your business by learning new things. What you do and what you offer is solely up to you. I can tell you by experience, that the demand is there for barbers. The shops are dwindling, in my view, because no one is learning and the older barbers are retiring with no one to replace them.

Another plus for barber school is that many states do not allow cosmetologists to use a razor for shaving. If that is something you would want to offer, you would need your barber license. As far as that school not offering it, they are wrong. Especially if the state barber exam requires you to do a facial shave to pass. As far as HIV goes, most of us barbers use the replaceable blade straight edge and by practicing good hygiene, you would replace it after every facial shave, especially if you nicked someone with it.

Texas tried to combine the licenses here, but most of the elected officials get their hair cut in barbershops and the barbers did some heavy lobbying. I personally believe the licenses should be separate because in my view they are two different professions. You are correct, though, that the two can learn a lot from each other. Again the ball is in your court on that one.

Let me give you a little career advice for when you get your license. For that first job, pick a real busy shop that has plenty of walk-ins or new customers. Or pick a barber that is willing to send customers your way. It can get frustrating sitting there while most of the customers go to the other barber. If it does happen, don't get discouraged. Do a good job on the customers that go to you, get your experience and speed up and move on.

I wish you success in your search for a barber school and career as a barber.

Chris

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