How to Choose the Right Barber School Near Oregon Ohio
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Oregon OH, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Oregon home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within 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.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Oregon OH home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Oregon OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Oregon OH barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Ohio school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Oregon OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Oregon OH barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Oregon OH area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide 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. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Oregon OH.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Oregon
Enroll in the Best Oregon Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Oregon Ohio.