How to Choose the Right Barbering College Near Piqua Ohio
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Piqua OH, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Piqua residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 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 Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Piqua OH residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Piqua OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Piqua OH barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Ohio school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Piqua OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Piqua OH barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for 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 school, it's crucial that she or he gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Piqua OH area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available in Piqua OH.
How to Choose a Barber College in Piqua
Choose in the Best Piqua Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program 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 positive about your decision. Be sure to collect 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 contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Piqua Ohio.