How to Choose the Best Barbering College Near Roselle Illinois
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Roselle IL, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Roselle residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Roselle IL home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Roselle IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Roselle IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Roselle 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 weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask 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 make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Roselle IL barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Roselle IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Roselle IL.
How to Choose a Barber College in Roselle
Enroll in the Right Roselle Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident 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 contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Roselle Illinois.