How to Select the Right Barber Training Program Near Drexel Heights Arizona
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Drexel Heights AZ, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Drexel Heights residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 Become a Barber?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Drexel Heights AZ residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Drexel Heights AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Drexel Heights AZ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Drexel Heights AZ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Drexel Heights AZ barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Drexel Heights AZ area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available in Drexel Heights AZ.
How to Become a Barber in Drexel Heights
Enroll in the Right Drexel Heights Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Drexel Heights Arizona.
Drexel Heights Barbering Training | Drexel Heights College Of Barbering