How to Enroll In the Best Barber College Near Boardman Ohio
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Boardman OH, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast 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 discuss a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Boardman home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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?
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 Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Boardman OH residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, 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 may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Boardman OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Boardman OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Ohio school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full 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, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Boardman OH, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands 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 campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Boardman OH barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for other 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 imperative that he or she receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Boardman OH area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out 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 Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Boardman OH.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Boardman
Enroll in the Best Boardman Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down 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 qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Boardman Ohio.