How to Pick the Best Barber College Near East Saint Louis Illinois
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near East Saint Louis IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your East Saint Louis home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your East Saint Louis IL residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School 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 certified 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in East Saint Louis 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, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with East Saint Louis IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in East Saint Louis IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a East Saint Louis IL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which East Saint Louis IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available in East Saint Louis IL.
How to Become a Barber in East Saint Louis
Enroll in the Best East Saint Louis Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in East Saint Louis Illinois.
East Saint Louis How To Become A Barber | East Saint Louis Barbering Classes