How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Academy Near New Trier Illinois
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near New Trier IL, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your New Trier home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within 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?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your New Trier IL home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in New Trier IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with New Trier IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact 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 Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in New Trier 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 Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a New Trier IL barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which New Trier IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. 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 also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in New Trier IL.
How to Train to Be a Barber in New Trier
Enroll in the Right New Trier Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in New Trier Illinois.