How to Enroll In the Right Barber Training Program Near Carbondale Illinois
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Carbondale IL, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. 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 titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning 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 Carbondale residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering 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?
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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Carbondale IL residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Carbondale 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 might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Carbondale IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 start a barber shop in Carbondale IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Carbondale IL barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Carbondale IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak 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 offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial help may be available in Carbondale IL.
How to Become a Barber in Carbondale
Choose in the Right Carbondale Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Carbondale Illinois.