How to Choose the Best Barber Training Program Near Atlanta Georgia
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Atlanta GA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast 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 regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Atlanta residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below 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 Atlanta GA home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Atlanta GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Atlanta GA 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 propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty 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 example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Atlanta GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Atlanta GA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Atlanta GA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in Atlanta GA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Atlanta
Enroll in the Best Atlanta Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Atlanta Georgia.