How to Find the Right Barbering College Near Hoffman Estates Illinois

Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Hoffman Estates 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 training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Hoffman Estates residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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?

A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.

Questions to Ask Barbering Schools

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Hoffman Estates IL residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you pick 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Hoffman Estates IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Hoffman Estates 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 might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Hoffman Estates IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Hoffman Estates IL barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Hoffman Estates IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of 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 with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Hoffman Estates IL.

How to Choose a Barber School in Hoffman Estates

Choose in the Right Hoffman Estates Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Hoffman Estates Illinois.

Hoffman Estates Barber Training | Hoffman Estates Barbering Schools