How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Classes Near Bangor Maine
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Bangor ME, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bangor residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Bangor ME residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 must 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 decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Bangor ME for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Bangor ME barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Maine school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select 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 Bangor ME, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Bangor ME barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Bangor ME area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing 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 meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Bangor ME.
How to Choose a Barber School in Bangor
Choose in the Right Bangor Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter 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 prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Bangor Maine.