How to Pick the Right Barbering Classes Near Des Plaines Illinois
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Des Plaines IL, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary education 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 puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically 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 need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Des Plaines residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the best option. There are many other considerations 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 within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little 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 Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Des Plaines IL home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several 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 pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Des Plaines IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering 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 referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Des Plaines IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with 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 Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Des Plaines IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Des Plaines IL barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may 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? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Des Plaines IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Des Plaines IL.
How to Choose a Barber College in Des Plaines
Choose in the Right Des Plaines Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Des Plaines Illinois.