How to Pick the Best Barber Academy Near Schaumburg Illinois
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Schaumburg IL, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat 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 speak a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Schaumburg residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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 Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Schaumburg IL residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Schaumburg IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Schaumburg IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Schaumburg IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Schaumburg IL barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Schaumburg IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be provided in Schaumburg IL.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Schaumburg
Enroll in the Best Schaumburg Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on 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 pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, 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 proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Schaumburg Illinois.
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