How to Select the Best Barber School Near Dunwoody Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Dunwoody GA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Dunwoody residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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?
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.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Dunwoody GA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Dunwoody 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college 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 businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Dunwoody GA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Georgia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 start a barber shop in Dunwoody GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Dunwoody GA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Dunwoody GA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, 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 Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Dunwoody GA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Dunwoody
Choose in the Best Dunwoody Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Dunwoody Georgia.