How to Choose the Right Barbering School Near Augusta Maine
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Augusta ME, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss 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 Augusta home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Become a Barber?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following 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 in relation to your Augusta ME home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Augusta ME for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Augusta ME barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Maine school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Augusta ME, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Augusta ME barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Augusta ME area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided in Augusta ME.
How to Choose a Barber College in Augusta
Enroll in the Right Augusta Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Augusta Maine.