How to Pick the Best Barbering Training Program Near Oxford Ohio
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Oxford OH, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oxford home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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 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.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Oxford OH residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Oxford OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Oxford OH barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact 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? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Oxford OH, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Oxford OH barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Oxford OH area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Oxford OH.
How to Train in Barbering in Oxford
Choose in the Right Oxford Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Oxford Ohio.