How to Choose the Right Barber Training Program Near Round Lake Beach Illinois
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Round Lake Beach IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Round Lake Beach home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the right choice. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about 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?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Round Lake Beach IL home, as well as the price 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 additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Round Lake Beach 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, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Round Lake Beach IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult 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 Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Round Lake Beach IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Round Lake Beach IL barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Round Lake Beach IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Round Lake Beach IL.
How to Train in Barbering in Round Lake Beach
Enroll in the Right Round Lake Beach Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Round Lake Beach Illinois.
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