How to Find the Best Barber College Near Carol Stream Illinois

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Carol Stream IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary 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 pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Carol Stream residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review 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 Choose Barbering?

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 Barbering Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Carol Stream IL residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important 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 agency, 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Carol Stream 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services 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 anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact 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?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream 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. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Carol Stream IL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Carol Stream IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Carol Stream IL.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Carol Stream

Choose in the Right Carol Stream Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Carol Stream Illinois.

Carol Stream Barbering Training | Carol Stream College Of Barbering