How to Choose the Best Barber School Near Birmingham Michigan

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Birmingham MI, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Birmingham home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.

What to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Birmingham MI home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Birmingham MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Birmingham MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas 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 essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Birmingham MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Birmingham MI barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for 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 crucial that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Birmingham MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Birmingham MI.

How to Choose a Barber School in Birmingham

Enroll in the Right Birmingham Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Birmingham Michigan.

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