How to Find the Right Barber Academy Near Cicero Illinois
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Cicero IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Cicero residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Cicero IL residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Cicero IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding 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 a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Cicero IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start 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. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Cicero IL barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Cicero IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with 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 too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Cicero IL.
How to Choose a Barber College in Cicero
Choose in the Best Cicero Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Cicero Illinois.