How to Find the Right Barber College Near Milwaukie Oregon
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Milwaukie OR, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear 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 kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Milwaukie home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Milwaukie OR home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Milwaukie 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Milwaukie OR barber shop owners or managers, or any person 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 thought of. And finally, consult the Oregon school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in Milwaukie OR, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Milwaukie OR barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Milwaukie OR area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Milwaukie OR.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Milwaukie
Enroll in the Best Milwaukie Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Milwaukie Oregon.