How to Choose the Best Barber College Near Carol Stream Illinois
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Carol Stream IL, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Carol Stream home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as 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 Choose Barbering?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Carol Stream IL residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Carol Stream IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several 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? 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 businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Carol Stream IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Carol Stream 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 need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires 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 campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Carol Stream IL barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Carol Stream IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Carol Stream IL.
How to Train in Barbering in Carol Stream
Enroll in the Right Carol Stream Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to compile 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 contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Carol Stream Illinois.