How to Choose the Best Barbering Academy Near Freeport Illinois
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Freeport IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Freeport home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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, 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.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Freeport IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn 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 additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs 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 frequently are not offered in Freeport IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Freeport IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed 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, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 desire is to open a barber shop in Freeport IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Freeport IL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Freeport IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Freeport IL.
How to Train in Barbering in Freeport
Choose in the Best Freeport Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Freeport Illinois.