How to Enroll In the Right Barber Academy Near Oshtemo Michigan
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Oshtemo MI, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Oshtemo home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the right choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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 Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Oshtemo MI home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional 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 school you pick 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Oshtemo MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many 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 positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Oshtemo MI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And 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 Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Oshtemo MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Oshtemo MI barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating 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 crucial that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Oshtemo MI area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Oshtemo MI.
How to Become a Barber in Oshtemo
Enroll in the Right Oshtemo Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start 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 right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Oshtemo Michigan.