How to Select the Right Barber Training Near Bethesda Maryland
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Bethesda MD, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the difference 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 speak a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bethesda home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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, 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Bethesda MD residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed 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 college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Bethesda MD 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 recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Bethesda MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets 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 important that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Bethesda MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Bethesda MD barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Bethesda MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Bethesda MD.
How to Choose a Barber School in Bethesda
Choose in the Best Bethesda Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate 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 compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Bethesda Maryland.