How to Select the Best Barbering Training Program Near Lehi Utah
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Lehi UT, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction 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 type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lehi home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as 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 discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lehi UT residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Lehi UT for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each 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 placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lehi UT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Utah school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Lehi UT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Lehi UT barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lehi UT area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Lehi UT.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Lehi
Enroll in the Right Lehi Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Lehi Utah.