How to Enroll In the Right Barber Classes Near Bartlett Illinois
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Bartlett IL, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bartlett home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within 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 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
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bartlett IL home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options 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 additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Bartlett IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Bartlett IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Bartlett IL, 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 deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Bartlett IL barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Bartlett IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm 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 looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Bartlett IL.
How to Choose a Barber School in Bartlett
Choose in the Right Bartlett Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Bartlett Illinois.