What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Green Bay WI home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you enroll in 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Green Bay WI for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement 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 those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Green Bay WI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Green Bay WI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Green Bay WI barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Green Bay WI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of 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 discard it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Green Bay WI.