How to Pick the Best Barbering College Near Joliet Illinois
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Joliet IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select 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 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 kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Joliet home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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 Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Joliet IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following 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 important to make sure that the barber school 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Joliet IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Joliet IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Joliet IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Joliet IL barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Joliet IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 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 looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available in Joliet IL.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Joliet
Enroll in the Right Joliet Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Joliet Illinois.