How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Academy Near Shields Illinois
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Shields IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Shields residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Become a Barber?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Shields IL home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Shields IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check 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 agencies. If you have any relationships with Shields IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Shields IL, then you need 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 need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Shields IL barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Shields IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Shields IL.
How to Become a Barber in Shields
Choose in the Best Shields Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Shields Illinois.