How to Pick the Right Barbering School Near Lake Oswego Oregon

Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lake Oswego OR, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat confused 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 relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Oswego home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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 Schools

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lake Oswego OR home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Lake Oswego OR for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those 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 field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check 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 agencies. If you have any contacts with Lake Oswego OR barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Oregon school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Lake Oswego OR, 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 deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Lake Oswego OR barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind 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 receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Lake Oswego OR area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may 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 fulfills each 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 Lake Oswego OR.

How to Choose a Barber School in Lake Oswego

Choose in the Best Lake Oswego Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be 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 information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Lake Oswego Oregon.

Lake Oswego Barbering Training | Lake Oswego College Of Barbering