How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Course Near Lake Oswego Oregon

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lake Oswego OR, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Oswego home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at 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, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lake Oswego OR residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Lake Oswego OR for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses 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 evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lake Oswego OR barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Oregon school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Lake Oswego OR, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Lake Oswego OR barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find 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 gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Lake Oswego OR area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Lake Oswego OR.

How to Choose a Barber College in Lake Oswego

Choose in the Right Lake Oswego Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Lake Oswego Oregon.

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