How to Choose the Right Barber College Near Ofallon Illinois
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Ofallon IL, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may 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 regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Ofallon residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Ofallon IL home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Ofallon IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts 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 looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with 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 Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Ofallon IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Ofallon IL barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Ofallon IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer 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 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 offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Ofallon IL.
How to Choose a Barber School in Ofallon
Choose in the Right Ofallon Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to obtain the proper 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 information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Ofallon Illinois.