How to Find the Best Barber College Near Machesney Park Illinois

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Machesney Park IL, the process starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Machesney Park residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Schools

Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Machesney Park IL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Machesney Park IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many 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 school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Machesney Park IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Machesney Park IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Machesney Park IL barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Machesney Park IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm 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. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available in Machesney Park IL.

How to Train in Barbering in Machesney Park

Enroll in the Right Machesney Park Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Machesney Park Illinois.

Machesney Park Barber Colleges | Machesney Park How To Become A Barber