How to Find the Right Barber Academy Near Tualatin Oregon

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Tualatin OR, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Tualatin home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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 Barber Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Tualatin OR home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, 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 can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Tualatin 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, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Tualatin OR barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, 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 last, consult the Oregon school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Tualatin OR, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Tualatin OR barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Tualatin OR area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult 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 offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Tualatin OR.

How to Train in Barbering in Tualatin

Enroll in the Best Tualatin Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Tualatin Oregon.

Tualatin Barbering Colleges | Tualatin Schools For Barbering