How to Find the Best Barber School Near Machesney Park Illinois

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Machesney Park IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Machesney Park home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.

Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Machesney Park IL residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed 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. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Machesney Park 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Machesney Park IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Machesney Park IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Machesney Park IL barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Machesney Park IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Machesney Park IL.

How to Train in Barbering in Machesney Park

Choose in the Best Machesney Park Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start 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 start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Machesney Park Illinois.

Machesney Park Barbering Schools | Machesney Park Barber Academy