How to Find the Right Barber School Near Chesterfield Michigan
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Chesterfield MI, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides 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 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 basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Chesterfield residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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 is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Chesterfield MI home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Chesterfield MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers 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? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Chesterfield MI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Chesterfield MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty 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 site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Chesterfield MI barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Chesterfield MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial help may be offered in Chesterfield MI.
How to Train in Barbering in Chesterfield
Enroll in the Best Chesterfield Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Chesterfield Michigan.