How to Choose the Best Barbering Training Program Near Cicero Illinois
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Cicero IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Cicero residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh 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 Become a Barber?
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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Cicero IL residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Cicero IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Cicero IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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. And finally, consult 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? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Cicero 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 provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Cicero IL barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Cicero IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial help may be offered in Cicero IL.
How to Choose a Barber School in Cicero
Enroll in the Right Cicero Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process 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 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Cicero Illinois.