Apprentice v. Barber School

I am not sure I have written about this before but I do know that I have very clear of the importance of having a mentor when you are a young barber. For me not being able to develop a mentor relationship with more experience barber has been one of the biggest mitakes I have made as a barber.

In the past if you wanted to become a barber you went to school then became an apprentice and then after doing an apprenticeship you earned the title "Master Barber" (if I am wring please let me know!). Now in most states you have the option to do an apprenticeship or go to barber college.

I am going to use California as an example for this post, mainly because that is where I am living at this time. To become an apprentice you are required to complete 3200 Apprentice hours in a shop and 220 hours of supplemental instruction in a classroom If you choose the route of attending a barber college you must complete 1500 hours to get your barbers license. f you choose the barber school route be prepared to have to pay cash because it seems that for the most part barber schools are a cash only business.

As I sit here thinking about the pro's and con's you have to look at your personal position. Are you in a place where you can go to school full time or do you need to be able to work. Do you know anything about hair cutting and shaving or is this business brand new to you. If you choose apprenticeship, what kind of program have they developed for there apprentices.What is the barber program in the local school like. These are all things you have to look at going into this.

So what is the point of this post, it is this; be informed! Do the research and make a descion that is going to make you the most successful barber/stylist. Because in the end you hold your future in your hand. If you are like me and went to a mediocre school at best it is going to be up to you to make the best out of your career. Get more education, find a shop with experienced barbers.  But the key in the end is to make informed decisions about your future.

Apprenticeship v. Barber School....You have to figure it out for yourself. Just make sure it is the best thing for you!!

quick update...

  So here is what is going on these days....I am up here in Spokane,Washington and I want to thank all those who have welcomed me home proper like!! I am unfortunately still waiting on the state of Washington to issue me reciprocity so I can get to cutting!!!

  I will probably be having my lovely wife send me down my tools in the next week or so, so if you are in need of a haircut I will be available.

  So since I have been go I have seen several shops open up that were not here before....my friends at Porter's barbershop have gotten to the point where they are appt. only (good job guy's) and I have been chatting up a kid down in Hillsboro,Oregon that will be opening his own shop on April 1st. his name is Travis Henry and his shop is called Henry's Chop Shop Hair Studio. This cat is fresh out of school and we wish him all the luck!!!

  I will be honest I should of just grown a pair of bullocks and did things the way this kid is doing it and the way my boy Luis at Covenant Barbershop did....by there own rules!! When you go to work for yourself it is all on you whether you succeed or fail.....no one else s fault.

  Working in any professional trade whether it is Barbering, Tattooing or really any trade that there are only two options.....work for yourself or someone else. Do you really want to give some other sucker all your hard earned dough or are you willing to step out and control your own future...Truth is if it is not too late for you
it is not too late for me!!

CUT WITH PRIDE