How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Academy Near Lithia Springs Georgia
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Lithia Springs GA, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lithia Springs residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as 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 Choose Barbering?
A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lithia Springs GA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Lithia Springs GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those 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 businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lithia Springs GA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in Lithia Springs GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check 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 growing skills on volunteers. If a Lithia Springs GA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lithia Springs GA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask 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. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Lithia Springs GA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Lithia Springs
Enroll in the Best Lithia Springs Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. 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 ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Lithia Springs Georgia.
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