How to Find the Right Barber School Near Addison Indiana
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Addison IN, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the contrast 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Addison residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Addison IN home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College 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 acknowledged 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Addison IN for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Addison IN barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Indiana school licensing authority to see 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 comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Addison IN, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Addison IN barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Addison IN area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Addison IN.
How to Choose a Barber College in Addison
Enroll in the Right Addison Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize 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 contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Addison Indiana.