How to Choose the Best Barbering Training Program Near Lawrence Kansas
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Lawrence KS, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lawrence residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating prospective 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 many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing 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 talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lawrence KS home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Lawrence KS for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many 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 excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Lawrence KS barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Kansas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 launch a barber shop in Lawrence KS, 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Lawrence KS barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Lawrence KS area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded 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. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered in Lawrence KS.
How to Choose a Barber School in Lawrence
Choose in the Right Lawrence Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Lawrence Kansas.