How to Find the Right Barber Training Near Shields Illinois
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Shields IL, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Shields residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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 Become a Barber?
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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Shields IL home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 training program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Shields 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, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably 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 an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Shields IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 start a barber shop in Shields IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Shields IL barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Shields IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be available in Shields IL.
How to Become a Barber in Shields
Choose in the Right Shields Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin 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 right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Shields Illinois.