How to Enroll In the Right Barbering School Near Albany Oregon
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Albany OR, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial 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 names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning 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 Albany residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review 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 Choose Barbering?
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.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Albany OR home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Albany OR for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers 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? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Albany OR barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Oregon school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Albany OR, then you want 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Albany OR barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Albany OR area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in Albany OR.
How to Choose a Barber College in Albany
Enroll in the Right Albany Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Albany Oregon.