How to Select the Right Barbering Training Program Near Bend Oregon
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Bend OR, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bend residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other considerations 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 thinking about later within 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 is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below 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 Bend OR home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Bend OR for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Bend OR barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Oregon school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad 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 frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 open a barber shop in Bend OR, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Bend OR barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Bend OR area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Bend OR.
How to Choose a Barber School in Bend
Choose in the Right Bend Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Bend Oregon.