How to Pick the Right Barbering Classes Near Dundee Illinois
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Dundee IL, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference 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 relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Dundee residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Dundee IL residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Dundee IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Dundee IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Dundee IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Dundee IL barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Dundee IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most 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. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Dundee IL.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Dundee
Choose in the Right Dundee Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school 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. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Dundee Illinois.