How to Choose the Right Gunsmithing School for Your Career Goals

If you’re interested in guns and also looking for a new career path, then you might want to go to school to become a Gunsmith. Gunsmithing can be an incredibly exciting and financially rewarding career path. For those people who are ready to put in a little bit of hard work, you can go to Gunsmithing school and eventually enter the field as a working professional.

Once you’re confident you want to become a gunsmith, you need to get serious about researching gunsmithing schools. There are many different gunsmithing schools available to you, and you need to pick one that aligns with your needs. It can be daunting to look into programs and schools, so our team at Pennsylvania Gunsmith School is going to go over how to choose the right gunsmithing school for your career goals, here.

Understanding Your Career Goals

You can’t pick out the school that meets your needs if you don’t know what part of the gunsmith industry you’re interested in! Before you jump into researching schools, take a moment to do a self-assessment of your interests and career aspirations within the firearms industry.

Depending on your familiarity with the industry, do some research about all the niches within the industry, such as firearm repair or customization. It’s crucial that you think about what you want your career to look like before you go to school, so figure out your interests and then think about how you can turn those interests into a successful career.

Researching Gunsmithing Schools

Now that you’ve sat down with yourself and figured out what you want to do in the gunsmithing industry, you’re ready to find schools that are compatible with your future plans. It’s a good idea to research schools, with a specific focus on their curriculum offerings, courses, and specialization options. You need to go to a school that has classes that fit your goals.

In addition, look into the faculty working at each school you’re interested in. Will you be able to find mentors with experience that is relevant to your interests? Will the faculty at a certain school be able to connect you with other industry professionals? Finally, research the school’s job placement rate and overall industry connections—your goal is to be employed after attending school, so this information is crucial.   

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gunsmithing School

We’ve discussed some things to think about when choosing a gunsmithing school, like compatibility, course structure, faculty expertise, and more. While these are arguably the most important factors to consider when looking at schools, you need to look into other factors, as well. Things like the location and housing accessibility should play into your decision. 

Other factors, such as the length of the program and its curriculum, are important to consider.   Gunsmithing is a hands-on field,  it is difficult to learn in an online program.  You will need access to machinery and have the ability to work on projects and repairs that you will use for your career.   Employers will want to know what you have done and see results.   All in all, beyond the technical elements of each program, think about the cost of attendance, learning environment, reputation, job placement and financial aid opportunities for each school.

Beyond the length of the program, focus on what kind of classes you will be taking.  Are you taking general education classes?  Some programs offer an associate’s degree with approximately 25% general education courses.   This equates to less time at the bench learning Gunsmithing.  While all education has value, when it comes to your chosen career, make sure the classes will benefit your overall goal.  

Visiting Potential Schools and Speaking with Admissions Representatives

You’ve done a lot of research to this point: you’ve figured out your own career goals within the Gunsmithing industry, found schools that are good fits for your goals, and considered the cost, location, and opportunities available at each school you’re curious about. With all of this being said, you should have list of schools you might want to attend compiled at this point, and it’s time to narrow this list down even more!

You won’t fully understand what a school has to offer unless you visit them, whether that be in-person or virtually. Of course, there are certain benefits to visiting a school in-person, like the fact that you can see the campus for yourself. Despite this, if you’re too far and cannot visit in-person, you can learn a lot from a virtual visit/information session as well.

No matter what kind of visit you’re having with the school, ensure that you have plans to meet with admissions representatives. In these meetings, you can ask school officials any questions you have about the application process or the school itself. Also, try your best to meet with alumni of the school, as they can let you know more about the programs you’re interested in and what the atmosphere of the school is like.

Making Your Decision

It’s no easy task to pick a Gunsmithing school that is right for your career and personal preferences. After doing so much thorough research, you probably know a lot about several different Gunsmithing schools—and you’re probably excited about each option. Once you’ve researched and visited each school, you need to review your options.

Consider the school’s program offerings, faculty lineup, and campus culture. Then, based on the pros and cons of the school, make an informed decision about which program would be right for you. Picking out what Gunsmithing school you want to attend is an important decision, so, if it will help you make an informed decision, talk it through with your family and friends while you’re deciding. You’re not in this alone!

Our Faculty and Staff at Pennsylvania Gunsmith School Want to Welcome You to Campus

We’ve been over a lot of really important information about how to choose the Gunsmithing school that is right for your career. You now know to research your career goals and the Gunsmithing schools you’re interested in attending in detail. You also know how to narrow down your options to pick the Gunsmithing school that’s the right match for you. Future Gunsmith professionals should always stay positive throughout this process, know that you’ll find the school that meets your needs—and it might just be the Pennsylvania Gunsmith School. For more information about our programs, contact us!