How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Course Near Fairfield Ohio
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Fairfield OH, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Fairfield home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example 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 discuss a 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.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Fairfield OH home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Fairfield OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Fairfield OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Ohio school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Fairfield OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Fairfield OH barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Fairfield OH area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Fairfield OH.
How to Train in Barbering in Fairfield
Enroll in the Best Fairfield Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Fairfield Ohio.