How to Pick the Best Barber College Near Livonia Michigan
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Livonia MI, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the contrast 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 kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Livonia home. Tuition will also be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Livonia MI home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Livonia MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Livonia MI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology 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 example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Livonia MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Livonia MI barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Livonia MI area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available in Livonia MI.
How to Choose a Barber College in Livonia
Enroll in the Right Livonia Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize 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 good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Livonia Michigan.