How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Ferndale Maryland
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Ferndale MD, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Ferndale residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Ferndale MD home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Ferndale MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Ferndale MD barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 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 open a barber shop in Ferndale MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Ferndale MD barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Ferndale MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be offered in Ferndale MD.
How to Train in Barbering in Ferndale
Choose in the Right Ferndale Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided 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 self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Ferndale Maryland.