How to Select the Right Barbering Academy Near Bourbonnais Illinois
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Bourbonnais IL, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bourbonnais home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bourbonnais IL 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 no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Bourbonnais IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some 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 positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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 regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Bourbonnais IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Bourbonnais IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Bourbonnais IL barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Bourbonnais IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out 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 Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial help may be provided in Bourbonnais IL.
How to Choose a Barber School in Bourbonnais
Choose in the Best Bourbonnais Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Bourbonnais Illinois.