How to Select the Right Barber Training Program Near Severn Maryland
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Severn MD, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Severn residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Severn MD residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Severn MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Severn MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Severn MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out 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 growing skills on volunteers. If a Severn MD barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind 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 receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Severn MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial help may be offered in Severn MD.
How to Choose a Barber School in Severn
Enroll in the Right Severn Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, 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 confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Severn Maryland.