How to Find the Best Barbering Training Program Near Xenia Ohio
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Xenia OH, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares 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 pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Xenia residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Xenia OH residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School 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 acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Xenia OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Xenia 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 may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Ohio school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Xenia OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands 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 site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Xenia OH barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Xenia OH area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask 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? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might 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 with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial help may be offered in Xenia OH.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Xenia
Enroll in the Right Xenia Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Xenia Ohio.