How to Find the Best Barber Academy Near Arlington Heights Illinois
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Arlington Heights IL, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the contrast 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Arlington Heights home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Arlington Heights IL home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Arlington Heights IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Arlington Heights IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Arlington Heights IL, then you want 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Arlington Heights IL barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type 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 assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Arlington Heights IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be offered in Arlington Heights IL.
How to Train in Barbering in Arlington Heights
Enroll in the Right Arlington Heights Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Arlington Heights Illinois.
Arlington Heights Barber Schools | Arlington Heights Barber Classes