What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Libertyville IL residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Libertyville 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Libertyville IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar 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 full 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 particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Libertyville IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Libertyville IL barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Libertyville IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial help may be offered in Libertyville IL.