How to Pick the Right Barber College Near Rochester Hills Michigan

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Rochester Hills MI, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may 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 essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Rochester Hills residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?

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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Rochester Hills MI home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Rochester Hills MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber college 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 referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Rochester Hills MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with 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 expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Rochester Hills MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. 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 campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Rochester Hills MI barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide 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 Rochester Hills MI area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Rochester Hills MI.

How to Train in Barbering in Rochester Hills

Enroll in the Right Rochester Hills Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive 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 sure to consolidate 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 compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Rochester Hills Michigan.

Rochester Hills Barber Schools | Rochester Hills Barber Classes