How to Select the Right Barber Academy Near Lake Shore Maryland
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Lake Shore MD, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Shore home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance 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 Become a Barber?
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 series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lake Shore MD home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you pick 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Lake Shore MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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 services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Lake Shore MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with 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 Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Lake Shore MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished 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 real people. If a Lake Shore MD barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lake Shore MD area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Lake Shore MD.
How to Become a Barber in Lake Shore
Enroll in the Right Lake Shore Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Lake Shore Maryland.