How to Choose the Right Barbering Course Near Marshalltown Iowa
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Marshalltown IA, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Marshalltown residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep 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 example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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 Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Marshalltown IA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Marshalltown IA 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 employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Marshalltown IA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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 Iowa 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 Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Marshalltown IA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Marshalltown IA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop 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 inquire which Marshalltown IA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered in Marshalltown IA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Marshalltown
Enroll in the Right Marshalltown Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Marshalltown Iowa.
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