How to Choose the Best Barbering School Near Drexel Heights Arizona

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Drexel Heights AZ, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled 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 little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Drexel Heights residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in 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?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Drexel Heights AZ residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Drexel Heights AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Drexel Heights AZ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden 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 goal 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Drexel Heights AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Drexel Heights AZ barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Drexel Heights AZ area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all barber schools offer 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 find out 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 offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Drexel Heights AZ.

How to Become a Barber in Drexel Heights

Enroll in the Best Drexel Heights Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Drexel Heights Arizona.

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