How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Training Program Near Annapolis Maryland
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Annapolis MD, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Annapolis residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Annapolis MD residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school 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 can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Annapolis MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Annapolis MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Maryland 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 Specialty? Some cosmetology 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 broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Annapolis MD, 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Annapolis MD barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Annapolis MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Annapolis MD.
How to Choose a Barber School in Annapolis
Choose in the Best Annapolis Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin 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 selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Annapolis Maryland.