How to Find the Right Barbering Academy Near Skokie Illinois
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Skokie IL, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Skokie residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 Become a Barber?
The majority of today’s barbers no doubt were inspired to explore this profession because of their own sense of style coupled with fond memories of visiting their local barber shop. For those considering this career, several trips to the barber is most definitely in order. Taking in the atmosphere, the clientele, and the work is one of the best ways to become familiar with how a barber’s day is spent. A barber is a professional who specializes in cutting and styling men’s hair and caring for men’s facial hair, skin, and scalps. Of course they are primarily employed in barbershops, although a number of high-end hotels and spas now employ barbers full-time to serve traveling businessmen. To be successful, individuals should be friendly and outgoing, and they should enjoy meeting new people and spending the better part of their day socializing with the clients they serve. Those interested in barbering should be prepared to spend the majority of the day on their feet and working with their hands. Barbers usually enjoy flexible schedules, relaxed working environments, and a solid income once they establish a regular clientele.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Skokie IL residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, 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 can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Skokie IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Skokie IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 select 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Skokie 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Skokie IL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind 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 receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Skokie IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Skokie IL.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Skokie
Choose in the Right Skokie Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Skokie Illinois.