How to Pick the Best Barbering Academy Near Bethany Oregon
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Bethany OR, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bethany home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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?
The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Bethany OR residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Bethany 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, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Bethany OR barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Oregon school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of 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, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Bethany OR, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Bethany OR barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Bethany OR area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available in Bethany OR.
How to Choose a Barber College in Bethany
Choose in the Right Bethany Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize 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 compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Bethany Oregon.