How to Select the Right Barbering School Near Chamblee Georgia
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Chamblee GA, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial 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 essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Chamblee home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in 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 Become a Barber?
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 Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Chamblee GA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Chamblee GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Chamblee GA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets 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 essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 open a barber shop in Chamblee GA, 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 Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Chamblee GA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Chamblee GA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be offered in Chamblee GA.
How to Become a Barber in Chamblee
Enroll in the Right Chamblee Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when 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 Chamblee Georgia.