How to Pick the Right Barber Training Program Near Jackson Tennessee
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Jackson TN, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction 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 following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Jackson home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential 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 qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Jackson TN residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you choose 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 can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Jackson TN for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Jackson TN barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Tennessee school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Jackson TN, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Jackson TN barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, 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 offer help develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Jackson TN area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Jackson TN.
How to Choose a Barber College in Jackson
Enroll in the Right Jackson Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Jackson Tennessee.