How to Pick the Right Barbering College Near Evanston Illinois
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Evanston IL, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might 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 names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Evanston residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within 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 Become a Barber?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Evanston IL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Evanston IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final 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 Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Evanston IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 open a barber shop in Evanston IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 talents on real people. If a Evanston IL barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid 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 ask which Evanston IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available in Evanston IL.
How to Choose a Barber College in Evanston
Enroll in the Best Evanston Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure 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 data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Evanston Illinois.