How to Select the Best Barbering College Near Glenview Illinois
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Glenview IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit 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 type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning 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 Glenview residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series 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 relative to your Glenview IL residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Glenview IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Glenview IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Glenview IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Glenview IL barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Glenview IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out 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 Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided in Glenview IL.
How to Become a Barber in Glenview
Choose in the Best Glenview Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Glenview Illinois.