How to Choose the Right Barbering Academy Near Mattoon Illinois
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Mattoon IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Mattoon home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Mattoon IL residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably 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 reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Mattoon IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Mattoon IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Mattoon IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Mattoon IL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Mattoon IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Mattoon IL.
How to Train in Barbering in Mattoon
Enroll in the Right Mattoon Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Mattoon Illinois.