What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Joliet IL residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you choose 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Joliet 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 individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Joliet IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact 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 beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Joliet IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Joliet IL barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Joliet IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Joliet IL.