How to Select the Right Barbering Academy Near Campton Illinois
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Campton IL, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction 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 talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Campton home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Campton IL home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary 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 consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you select 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Campton IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite 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? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Campton IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, check with 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? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Campton IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Campton IL barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets aid 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 trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Campton IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, 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 Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Campton IL.
How to Choose a Barber College in Campton
Enroll in the Right Campton Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect 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 start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Campton Illinois.