How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Training Program Near Neenah Wisconsin
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Neenah WI, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Neenah home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within 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, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Neenah WI residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school 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 comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Neenah WI for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Neenah WI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many 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 example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Neenah WI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Neenah WI barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Neenah WI area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Neenah WI.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Neenah
Enroll in the Best Neenah Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. 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 Neenah Wisconsin.