How to Find the Best Barber Academy Near Ofallon Illinois
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Ofallon IL, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Ofallon home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 Become a Barber?
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 Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Ofallon IL home, 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 probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Ofallon 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, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Ofallon 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 may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Ofallon IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Ofallon IL barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Ofallon IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered in Ofallon IL.
How to Choose a Barber School in Ofallon
Choose in the Right Ofallon Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Ofallon Illinois.