How to Find the Right Barber College Near Rolling Meadows Illinois

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Rolling Meadows IL, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you choose 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 rather unclear 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 kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Rolling Meadows residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?

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.

What to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Rolling Meadows IL home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Rolling Meadows IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may 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 profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Rolling Meadows IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult 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 beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 open a barber shop in Rolling Meadows IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Rolling Meadows IL barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Rolling Meadows IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all 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 identify what student loans or grants you may 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in Rolling Meadows IL.

How to Choose a Barber College in Rolling Meadows

Enroll in the Right Rolling Meadows Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college 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 certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, 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 ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Rolling Meadows Illinois.

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