How to Find the Best Barbering College Near Grafton Illinois
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Grafton IL, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might 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 pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Grafton home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Grafton IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Grafton IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Grafton IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Grafton IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Grafton IL barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Grafton IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Grafton IL.
How to Train in Barbering in Grafton
Enroll in the Right Grafton Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on 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 reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Grafton Illinois.