How to Find the Best Barber College Near Atlanta Georgia
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Atlanta GA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Atlanta home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Atlanta GA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration 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 School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Atlanta GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite 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? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Atlanta GA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Atlanta GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Atlanta GA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Atlanta GA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Atlanta GA.
How to Become a Barber in Atlanta
Enroll in the Right Atlanta Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Atlanta Georgia.