How to Pick the Right Barbering Academy Near Melrose Park Illinois

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Melrose Park IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Melrose Park residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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 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 Barber Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Melrose Park IL home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you pick 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Melrose Park IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some 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 favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Melrose Park IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Melrose Park IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Melrose Park IL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Melrose Park IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Melrose Park IL.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Melrose Park

Enroll in the Right Melrose Park Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Melrose Park Illinois.

Melrose Park Barbering Training | Melrose Park College Of Barbering