How to Choose the Right Barber College Near Edwardsville Illinois

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Edwardsville IL, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction 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 regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Edwardsville residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the best choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example 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 Become a Barber?

A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.

Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Edwardsville 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you enroll in 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Edwardsville IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Edwardsville IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on 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 aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Edwardsville IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Edwardsville IL barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Edwardsville IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. 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 offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided in Edwardsville IL.

How to Choose a Barber School in Edwardsville

Choose in the Best Edwardsville Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect 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 compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Edwardsville Illinois.

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