How to Select the Best Barbering School Near Kettering Ohio

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Kettering OH, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Kettering residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Choose Barbering?

The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Kettering OH residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Kettering OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Kettering OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Ohio school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Kettering OH, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Kettering OH barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Kettering OH area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Kettering OH.

How to Become a Barber in Kettering

Enroll in the Right Kettering Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Kettering Ohio.

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