It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Fort Smith AR home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Fort Smith AR businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Fort Smith AR barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Arkansas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Fort Smith AR, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated 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 requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Fort Smith AR barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for 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 crucial that she or he receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Fort Smith AR area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be offered in Fort Smith AR.