How to Pick the Best Barbering Course Near Kalamazoo Michigan
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Kalamazoo MI, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Kalamazoo residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Kalamazoo MI home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Kalamazoo MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Kalamazoo MI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Michigan 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? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Kalamazoo MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished 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 real people. If a Kalamazoo MI barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Kalamazoo MI area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be offered in Kalamazoo MI.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Kalamazoo
Choose in the Best Kalamazoo Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Kalamazoo Michigan.
Kalamazoo Barber Colleges | Kalamazoo How To Become A Barber