How to Enroll In the Best Barbering School Near Medford Oregon
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Medford OR, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Medford home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering 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?
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.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Medford OR residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should 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 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Medford OR for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm 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 relationships with Medford OR barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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, contact the Oregon school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 open a barber shop in Medford OR, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Medford OR barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Medford OR area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Medford OR.
How to Choose a Barber College in Medford
Enroll in the Right Medford Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Medford Oregon.