How to Enroll In the Right Barber School Near Dalton Georgia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Dalton GA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Dalton home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over 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 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Dalton GA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Dalton 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 businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Dalton GA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 launch a barber shop in Dalton GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Dalton GA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Dalton GA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer 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 learn 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 also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available in Dalton GA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Dalton
Enroll in the Right Dalton Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Dalton Georgia.