How to Find the Right Barber Training Program Near Lake Zurich Illinois
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lake Zurich IL, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial 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 names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Zurich residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?
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.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lake Zurich IL residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you pick 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Lake Zurich IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire 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 school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lake Zurich IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Lake Zurich IL, then you want 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 deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Lake Zurich IL barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Lake Zurich IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad 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. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Lake Zurich IL.
How to Choose a Barber School in Lake Zurich
Enroll in the Right Lake Zurich Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure 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 compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Lake Zurich Illinois.