How to Choose the Right Barbering Academy Near Lewiston Maine
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lewiston ME, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lewiston home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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 Become a Barber?
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 Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lewiston ME home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Lewiston ME for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Lewiston ME barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Maine 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 Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Lewiston ME, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Lewiston ME barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Lewiston ME area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Lewiston ME.
How to Choose a Barber College in Lewiston
Choose in the Right Lewiston Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident 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 employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Lewiston Maine.