How to Choose the Right Barber School Near Marana Arizona
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Marana AZ, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Marana home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective 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 a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at 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?
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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Marana AZ home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Marana AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Marana AZ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Marana AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Marana AZ barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Marana AZ area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial help may be provided in Marana AZ.
How to Train in Barbering in Marana
Enroll in the Best Marana Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Marana Arizona.