How to Choose the Right Barber College Near Burbank Illinois
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Burbank IL, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Burbank residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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 series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Burbank IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Burbank IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Burbank IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Burbank IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out 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 talents on real people. If a Burbank IL barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Burbank IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available in Burbank IL.
How to Become a Barber in Burbank
Choose in the Best Burbank Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Burbank Illinois.