How to Select the Right Barber College Near Bowling Green Kentucky

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Bowling Green KY, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Bowling Green residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Bowling Green KY residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Bowling Green KY for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Bowling Green KY barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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. And last, consult the Kentucky school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Bowling Green KY, 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 require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Bowling Green KY barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Bowling Green KY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in Bowling Green KY.

How to Train in Barbering in Bowling Green

Choose in the Best Bowling Green Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Bowling Green Kentucky.

Bowling Green Barber Courses | Bowling Green Barber Training