How to Select the Best Barber College Near Geneva Illinois
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Geneva IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll talk 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 Geneva home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Geneva IL home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School 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 acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Geneva IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding 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 referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Geneva IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 launch a barber shop in Geneva 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Geneva IL barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Geneva IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be available in Geneva IL.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Geneva
Choose in the Right Geneva Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident 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 information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Geneva Illinois.