How to Pick the Best Barber College Near Ottumwa Iowa
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Ottumwa IA, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Ottumwa home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the right choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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 Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Ottumwa IA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Ottumwa IA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Ottumwa IA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Iowa school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Ottumwa IA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Ottumwa IA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Ottumwa IA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Ottumwa IA.
How to Train in Barbering in Ottumwa
Choose in the Right Ottumwa Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to organize 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 compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Ottumwa Iowa.